As the story is told, a drone originating from inside Ukraine flew into a Romanian residential complex slightly wounding two people.  When the Romanian government were first asked why they didn’t shoot down or neutralize the drone, Romanian officials said they thought it was a Ukrainian drone on route to Russia – so they did not shoot it down.

Later Romania’s president stated that a drone targeting Ukraine was redirected by a Ukrainian air defense system, which is why it ended up on Romanian airspace. Officially, everyone in Romania now says, it was a Russian drone targeting Ukraine, hit by Ukrainian air defenses over Reni, which redirected its path into Romania.  However, before clarity from both Ukraine and Romania, Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin was asked about it.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good evening.

You had to wait. President Lukashenko and I had a lengthy discussion as we had many issues to discuss.

I am listening. Please, begin.

Anton Morozov: Mr President, here is my question. We understand that you have had a busy visit dedicated to the extensive EAEU agenda. However, news is breaking every minute, and you are probably aware of the story about a drone that flew into Romania.

Vladimir Putin: That is what I have just been told.

Anton Morozov: My question is this: why didn’t the Europeans, who are hyping the rhetoric around this story, shoot down that drone?

Vladimir Putin: You know, this may seem strange, but I only learned about this just before entering the hall. I was informed that something had happened, supposedly involving one of our drones. If you would be so kind as to explain it again, I would be grateful – I am not joking, or being ironic – and I will comment based on what I know.

Anton Morozov: Anton Morozov, TASS. The Europeans talk a lot…

Vladimir Putin: No, no, I understand what they are saying. What drone?

Anton Morozov: Why didn’t they shoot it down? Why didn’t they shoot down the drone they associate with Russia that flew there?

Vladimir Putin: Are you listening to me or not? I do not even understand what you are talking about. Before entering the hall, they told me: “You know, some drone flew into Romania.” I said: “I don’t know. What kind of drone?” So, tell me, what exactly is being reported in the media?

Anton Morozov: They are saying it was ours.

Pavel Zarubin: They are saying that the drone which crashed into a residential building in Romania today was a Russian drone.

Vladimir Putin: Who in Romania is saying it was a Russian drone?

Pavel Zarubin: Many people in Europe are saying so.

Vladimir Putin: “Many people” are nobody. Give me specific names.

Remark: Ursula von der Leyen.

Vladimir Putin: “Ms von der Leyen has not been to Romania. She has not examined the remains of that drone. No one can determine the origin of a particular aircraft until a proper examination has been conducted.

After all, we know that Ukrainian drones have previously flown into Finland, Poland, and the Baltic states. The initial reaction was exactly the same as it is now in Romania: “Help! The Russians are coming, the Russians are attacking.” Then, after a short period of time, it turned out that those incidents had nothing to do with Russian UAVs. They were drones of Ukrainian origin that had gone off course, been affected by electronic warfare, or, due to technical limitations, had ended up there and crashed. I believe that most likely we are dealing with the same situation as well.

However, if they provide us with objective data – as we once did with representatives of the US administration by handing over information and drone fragments from an attempted strike on one of the residences of the President of the Russian Federation to be examined – then let them provide those materials to us. We will conduct an objective investigation, and only then will we be in a position to assess what has actually happened.”