Ion Cristoiu cited by Russian media in disinformation over Galați drone crash

Russian state news agency Tass quoted Romanian journalist Ion Cristoiu to promote narratives that the May 29 drone crash in Galați was a joint Ukrainian‑Romanian scheme aimed at securing European defence grants. Cristoiu suggested the incident might have been staged as sabotage, echoing claims from Russian officials such as special missions ambassador Rodion Miroșnik, who described Romania’s statements as a provocation to obtain EU funds. Romanian authorities, including the Defence Ministry and President Nicușor Dan, affirmed the wreckage is of Russian origin, contradicting the Russian propaganda that labeled the drone Ukrainian. The EU has allocated over €16 billion to Romania for defence, a sum unrelated to the incident, but the disinformation campaign seeks to sow anti‑Ukrainian sentiment and undermine NATO cohesion.