Zelenskyy: We try to intercept all Russian drones heading towards European countries

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he regards incidents in which Russian drones cross the borders of European countries as measures of political pressure by Russia against Ukraine's partners, and that Ukraine tries to intercept all such drones.

Source: Zelenskyy in an interview with CBS News, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Zelenskyy was asked about an incident in Galați, Romania, in which a Russian strike drone struck a residential building and asked why he thinks the Russian leadership is taking such risks at the moment.

"I think it's political pressure. It's a message from Russia: 'Don't help Ukraine'," the president replied.

He recalled that the first such incidents occurred on the Romanian border, followed by an unprecedented case in autumn 2025 when more than 20 drones flew deep into Polish territory.

Quote: "Usually we try to catch all the drones, even when they are flying in the direction of other countries, like Romania, Moldova or Poland, we try to catch everything. If we can't – of course, we pass messages to our partners. We try to help them, and the same with the Baltic countries – Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia."

Details: Zelenskyy believes Russia is doing this to test how NATO countries react, and that that reaction should be more resolute.

"I think Putin is comparing the reaction and how it has changed during this year or in the last two-three years. This is the way of testing the air defence of other countries, NATO countries, bordering us or bordering Belarus or Russia. So he's testing what air defence they have. Whether they can destroy all the missiles or drones," Zelenskyy added.

Background:

• On the night of 28-29 May, a Russian strike drone crashed into the roof of a residential building in Galați and exploded, breaking through it and causing a fire in a corridor of an apartment on the top floor. Two residents were injured.
• This is the most serious incident to have happened so far since Russian strike drones started entering Romanian and Moldovan territory.
• Romanian President Nicușor Dan and Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a phone call following the Galați incident.
• Romania decided to close the Russian Consulate General in Constanța and expel the consul. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova threatened "measures" in response.

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