Russia Denies: Protest Over Drones Above Poland

On September 15, 2025, tension filled the building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria. The atmosphere was heated as the Ambassador of the Russian Federation, Eleonora Mitrofanova, was summoned for an official protest. The reason: allegations of the deliberate violation of Polish airspace by Russian unmanned aerial vehicles on the night of September 9-10, 2025.

Key Moment in Bulgaria-Russia Relations

The meeting was undoubtedly a key moment in the complex relations between Bulgaria and Russia, especially given the escalating conflict in Ukraine. The protest lodged by the Bulgarian side was categorical and unambiguous. Officials emphasized the seriousness of the incident, highlighting the potential risks to regional security and international law.

Ambassador Mitrofanova, however, resolutely rejected the accusations, describing them as "unfounded". She categorically denied Russian involvement in the incident, citing a lack of any definitive evidence. In response to the allegations, the ambassador stressed that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation did not plan, nor did they carry out, strikes on targets in the territory of the Republic of Poland.

In addition, she presented technical arguments, according to which the flight range of the unmanned aerial vehicles used during the strikes on Ukrainian military infrastructure on the night of September 10, 2025, did not exceed 700 kilometers. This, according to the ambassador, makes it impossible for them to enter Polish airspace. This statement, however, should be viewed with a degree of skepticism, considering the numerous conflicting reports surrounding the military actions in Ukraine and the lack of full transparency on the part of Russia.

Ambassador Mitrofanova went even further, describing the situation as a "planned provocation", from which Ukraine and some European countries, aiming to strengthen the "Russian threat", would benefit most. She insisted that, unlike the actions of the Ukrainian regime, Moscow never carries out deliberate strikes against the civilian population or civilian objects. This statement, however, is in stark contrast to numerous reports of civilian casualties in Ukraine.

Concluding Remarks

In conclusion, the ambassador called for de-escalation of rhetoric and for a peaceful resolution of the Ukrainian conflict, taking into account the concerns of the Russian Federation. It is clear that the incident with the unmanned aerial vehicles is another element of tension between Russia and its opponents, and underlines the need for caution and a responsible approach to crisis management in Ukraine. The Bulgarian side will undoubtedly closely monitor the development of the situation.