A former CIA analyst claims that Russia's incursion with drones in Romania was a deliberate provocation meant to test NATO unity.

Paul Goble, former special advisor to the State Department and CIA analyst, argues that Russia's recent drone incursion into Romanian territory was not an accident, but an intentional provocation to fracture NATO unity and intimidate Moldova. Goble states that Vladimir Putin's denial is a predictable tactic, meant to slow down the Western response.

During a summit in Astana, Putin tried to shift the blame onto Ukraine, suggesting that the drone that hit Galați had a technical malfunction. However, Romanian authorities confirmed that the wreckage belonged to a Russian drone. Goble is convinced that Putin approved the operation, considering Russia's anxiety over Moldova's proximity to Romania. The incident highlights the challenge for NATO to respond to hybrid threats without falling into internal divisions.