Ukraine Says Russian Drones Hit Romanian Soil, Bucharest Denies Report 

A firefighter works at a site that was hit amid Russian drone attacks, at a location given as Odesa region, Ukraine in this handout image released September 4, 2023. (Ukraine's Operational Command "South"/Handout via Reuters)
A firefighter works at a site that was hit amid Russian drone attacks, at a location given as Odesa region, Ukraine in this handout image released September 4, 2023. (Ukraine's Operational Command "South"/Handout via Reuters)
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Ukraine Says Russian Drones Hit Romanian Soil, Bucharest Denies Report 

A firefighter works at a site that was hit amid Russian drone attacks, at a location given as Odesa region, Ukraine in this handout image released September 4, 2023. (Ukraine's Operational Command "South"/Handout via Reuters)
A firefighter works at a site that was hit amid Russian drone attacks, at a location given as Odesa region, Ukraine in this handout image released September 4, 2023. (Ukraine's Operational Command "South"/Handout via Reuters)

Ukraine said on Monday Russian drones fell and detonated on the territory of NATO member Romania during an overnight attack on Ukrainian port infrastructure on the Danube River, but Bucharest categorically denied the report. 

Reuters could not independently verify either account of what could represent a dramatic turn in Russia's 18-month-old war in Ukraine. Moscow has regularly conducted long-range air strikes on targets in Ukraine, which borders Romania. 

"According to Ukraine's state border guard service, last night, during a massive Russian attack near the port of Izmail, Russian 'Shakheds' fell and detonated on the territory of Romania," Ukrainian foreign ministry spokesperson Oleg Nikolenko wrote on Facebook. 

"This is yet another confirmation that Russia's missile terror poses a huge threat not only to Ukraine's security, but also to the security of neighboring countries, including NATO member states," he said. 

The Romanian Defense Ministry issued a statement in which it said it "categorically" denied the Ukrainian assertion. 

NATO has a collective defense commitment under which the military alliance considers an attack on one ally to be an attack on all allies. 

Nikolenko published a photo showing the flames of an explosion on the opposite bank of the Danube river, the dividing line between Ukraine's Odesa region and Romanian territory. 

A Ukrainian industry source told Reuters that two Russian drones had fallen on the Romanian side. 

The Ukrainian president's chief of staff said the incident showed the need to increase supplies of modern air defense and long-range weapons to deprive Russia of the ability to launch drones and missiles as Ukraine. 

"Additional weapons and long-range missiles for Ukraine - to speed up the de-occupation of our territories. Russia must be defeated on the battlefield," the official, Andriy Yermak, wrote on the Telegram messaging app. 

Ukraine's Danube ports, Reni and Izmail, accounted for around a quarter of grain exports before Russia pulled out of a UN-backed deal that provided safe passage for the export of Ukrainian grain via the Black Sea. 

The Danube ports have since become the main route out of Ukraine, with grain also sent on barges to Romania's Black Sea port of Constanta for shipment onwards. 

The overnight attack on Ukrainian port infrastructure took place hours before scheduled talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. 



Belgian King Denounces Gaza Abuses in Unusually Direct Remarks

Belgium's King Philippe delivers a speech on the occasion of the upcoming Belgian National Day at the Royal Palace in Brussels, Belgium July 17, 2024. REUTERS/Yves Herman/Pool/File Photo
Belgium's King Philippe delivers a speech on the occasion of the upcoming Belgian National Day at the Royal Palace in Brussels, Belgium July 17, 2024. REUTERS/Yves Herman/Pool/File Photo
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Belgian King Denounces Gaza Abuses in Unusually Direct Remarks

Belgium's King Philippe delivers a speech on the occasion of the upcoming Belgian National Day at the Royal Palace in Brussels, Belgium July 17, 2024. REUTERS/Yves Herman/Pool/File Photo
Belgium's King Philippe delivers a speech on the occasion of the upcoming Belgian National Day at the Royal Palace in Brussels, Belgium July 17, 2024. REUTERS/Yves Herman/Pool/File Photo

Belgium's King Philippe described abuses in Gaza as a "disgrace to humanity" in a speech on the eve of Monday's national day, unusually direct remarks on international affairs from a monarch who traditionally avoids public politics.

"I add my voice to all those who denounce the serious humanitarian abuses in Gaza, where innocent people are dying of hunger and being killed by bombs while trapped in their enclaves," he said speaking at his palace in Brussels, Reuters reported.

"The current situation has gone on for far too long. It is a disgrace to all of humanity. We support the call by the United Nations Secretary-General to immediately end this unbearable crisis."

It was the first time Philippe has spoken out so strongly and unambiguously about a conflict in public. Belgium's federal government has been more reserved in its criticism of the conflict in Gaza.

The king's role in Belgium is limited to giving advice, support, and warnings to the government without making any political decisions.

Israel launched its assault on Gaza following an October 2023 attack on Israeli towns by Hamas-led fighters. Since then, Israeli forces have killed more than 59,000 people in Gaza, according to health officials there. Much of the territory has been laid to waste and Israel has restricted food and other supplies.

Israel denies that its forces commit abuses in Gaza and says restrictions on supplies are needed to prevent aid from being diverted by militants.