Zelenski explains why Russian drones are arriving in Romania and calls for a firmer reaction from the West
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, explained the reasons why some drones launched by Russia end up penetrating the airspace of neighboring states, including Romania. The statements were made on Sunday, May 31, during an interview, just two days after a Russian-made drone hit an apartment block in Galati.
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky. AFP PHOTO
The leader from Kiev stated that the Ukrainian army is trying to intercept all Russian drones, including those heading towards the territory of NATO member countries or other neighboring states.
“We try to intercept all Russian drones, even when some of them move to other countries, such as Romania, Moldova, Poland or the Baltic countries. If we fail to do that, we immediately inform our partners and try to provide them with assistance.” Zelenski said in an interview with CBS News.
“Russia Tests NATO Air Defense”
The Ukrainian president claims that such incidents are not random and are part of a broader strategy of Moscow.
According to him, Russia uses the drones to put pressure on the states that support Ukraine and to assess the reaction capacity of the North Atlantic Alliance.
“Russia uses drones to put pressure on NATO countries and gauge the reaction. This is their typical signal: do not help Ukraine. I think there should be a stronger response from NATO,” said the Ukrainian leader.
Zelenski believes that the reaction of the West should be firmer and warned that Moscow is carefully watching the answers provided by the allied states.
“Putin compares this reaction to what he has seen in past years. He is also testing the air defenses of NATO countries bordering Russia or Belarus. Are they capable of intercepting all missiles and drones?”, added the president of Ukraine.
The drone that hit the block in Galati is Russian
Zelenski's statements come in the context in which the President of Romania, Nicușor Dan, presented on Sunday the results of the technical investigation carried out by the Romanian authorities regarding the incident in Galați.
The head of state announced that the specialists have established without a doubt that the drone that crashed on the apartment block is of the Geran-2 type and comes from the Russian Federation.
According to the technical report, the conclusion is based on the analysis of recovered components, electronic systems and inscriptions identified on the fragments of the drone, all pointing to the same origin.
The Galați incident is considered by the Romanian authorities to be the most serious security event on Romanian territory since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, after the aircraft hit a block of flats, causing 2 injuries and significant material damage.
