The Russian embassy in Bucharest sharply denied Romania's accusations that Russian naval mines are floating in the Black Sea, claiming they are exclusively of Ukrainian origin.

"The floating naval mines in the waters of the Black Sea are exclusively of Ukrainian origin and have no connection to Russia, a fact well known to defense ministry experts," the Russian embassy stated.

The embassy referenced claims from March 2022, according to which Ukrainian naval forces had placed 420 anchored mines at the approaches to Odesa, Ochakov, Chernomorsk, and the port of Pivdenni. According to the Russian side, storms broke the cable connections to the seabed anchors, causing the mines to start floating.

The Romanian Ministry of Defense responded that the mine situation "stems exclusively from the actions of the Russian Federation against sovereign and independent Ukraine," and Russian statements represent "a manifestation of Russia's intent to distort reality."

Romanian Defense Minister Radul Mirchu previously stated that Romania has experience in clearing Russian naval mines from Black Sea waters, which prompted the sharp Russian denial.