Romania Reports Russian Drone Intrusion into NATO Airspace

A Russian drone entered Romanian airspace on Saturday, marking the second time this week a NATO member raised alarm over such an incursion.

Romania’s defence ministry said the drone was detected while two F-16 fighter jets were monitoring the country’s border with Ukraine during Russian air strikes. The drone flew over Romanian territory before disappearing from radar about 20 km southwest of the village of Chilia Veche.

Authorities emphasised that the drone did not fly over populated areas or pose an immediate danger to civilians.

Background

• Poland reported earlier this week that Russian drones had entered its airspace and were shot down.
  
• Romania has passed a law this year allowing its military to shoot down drones in peacetime when they illegally breach national airspace, depending on the assessed threat to people or property.
  

Reactions

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the breach in Romanian airspace could not have been an accident and called it “an obvious expansion of the war by Russia.”
  
• NATO and EU officials condemned the incident, calling it a breach of sovereignty.
  

Significance

This latest incursion highlights growing tensions in the region. NATO’s eastern flank is becoming increasingly sensitive to violations. Romania’s response (scrambling jets, following legal steps, cooperating with allies) reflects how seriously it views the challenge.