Putin Denies Romania Drone Strike and Declares War ‘Near End’ — War in Ukraine LIVE
Putin Denies Romania Drone Strike and Declares War ‘Near End’ as Ukraine Ceasefire Pressure Mounts Russian president dismisses Nato’s attribution of the Galaţi apartment block strike as ‘another provocation’ — while simultaneously claiming the battlefield gives Russia grounds to say the conflict is drawing to a close By Anya Petrova, Breaking Europe Correspondent · Saturday 30 May 2026, 07:45 UTC Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday night questioned whether a Russian drone had struck an apartment block in Romania — the most serious incursion onto Nato territory since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 — and dismissed evidence of Moscow’s involvement as another Western “provocation.” The denial came in a closely watched press conference hours after two Romanian nationals were injured when a drone crashed into a 10-storey residential building in Galaţi, near the Ukraine border. Nato and the Romanian government have squarely blamed Russia. Two F-16 jets from Romania’s air force were scrambled in response. “Ukrainian drones flew into Poland and Baltic states before, I think we have the same situation here,” Putin told reporters. “The first reaction was exactly the same as it is now in Romania: The Russians are coming. Then, after a short time, it turned out that it had nothing to do with Russian drones.” Despite denying involvement, Putin struck a different note on the war’s trajectory: he told state news agency RIA Novosti that the battlefield situation was in such a way that Russia had grounds to say the conflict was “nearing its end.” He gave no specific timeframe or peace timeline. The comment comes as European leaders press Russia to accept a 30-day unconditional ceasefire — and as ceasefire negotiations mediated by Brazil and China reportedly edge forward. Key Points Romania drone strike: Putin questioned whether a drone that crashed into a Romanian apartment block in Galaţi was Russian, despite Nato and Romanian authorities attributing it to Moscow Nato response: Nato spokesperson explicitly affirmed the drone was of Russian origin; Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Nato stands ready to defend “every inch” of alliance territory Russian injured: Two Romanian nationals were hospitalised after the drone struck their apartment block — the first civilian casualties from a Russian drone on Romanian soil Ukraine drone attack: A Ukrainian drone attack killed two people in Russia’s border Belgorod region late Friday Ceasefire pressure: European leaders are pressing Russia to accept a 30-day unconditional ceasefire from Monday; Reuters reports both sides are in active direct negotiations Black Sea escalation: A Turkish-owned cargo vessel was hit ditional 30-day ceasefire to begin immediately — a proposal backed by the “coalition of the willing” summited in Kyiv by Starmer, Macron, Merz, and Tusk on Thursday. Putin’s Minsk-era comment — that agreements were previously used to “buy time and arm Ukraine, not to resolve issues peacefully” — signals Moscow has no intention of agreeing to unconditional terms. Separately, a Turkish-owned cargo ship was struck in the Black Sea on Thursday night as it sailed along Ukraine’s maritime export corridor — the third foreign-flagged vessel targeted in days. Ankara called for all parties to refrain from steps that could cause “uncontrolled escalation.” Ukraine Uses AI Drones Against Russian Logistics Meanwhile, Ukraine is deploying AI-enabled drones to strike vital convoys supplying Russian troops — a significant tactical development that UK Defence Secretary John Healey is expected to address at next week’s Nato ministers’ meeting. The advancement gives Kyiv a new asymmetric edge as battlefield momentum shifts, according to senior Ukrainian commanders who spoke to Reuters. Sánchez Under Pressure in Spain Elsewhere in Europe, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is digging in after eight years in office as a multi-front corruption crisis threatens his survival. His brother David goes on trial in Madrid on Thursday; his wife Begoña Gómez has been formally summoned to court on June 9; and a police raid on Socialist Party (PSOE) headquarters last week — while Sánchez was meeting Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican — has intensified opposition pressure. Last updated: Saturday 30 May 2026, 07:45 UTC · Sources: The Independent live blog, 30 May 2026 · Reuters · BBC News
