Romania has strongly condemned a recent breach of its airspace by a Russian drone, marking the second such incident involving a NATO member state within a week. The Romanian Ministry of Defense reported that the drone entered Romanian airspace during a Russian assault on Ukrainian infrastructure, remaining within NATO territory for approximately 50 minutes before exiting near a village bordering Ukraine. Romanian F-16 fighter jets were scrambled to monitor the situation and came close to intercepting the drone, but refrained to avoid potential collateral risks.
This incident follows a similar breach in Poland, where multiple Russian drones entered its airspace, prompting NATO to launch Operation Eastern Sentry—a defensive measure involving military assets from Denmark, France, Germany, and the UK. The operation aims to reinforce NATO’s eastern defenses and respond to perceived threats from Russian activities.
In response to the Romanian incursion, NATO has heightened its alert status along the eastern flank. European leaders condemned the violations as breaches of sovereignty and emphasized the commitment to defending member states. Romanian President Ionuț Moșteanu described the drone incursion as a direct threat to regional stability and a violation of NATO territory, noting that Romania had authorized its forces to neutralize unauthorized drones if necessary.
The timing of these drone incursions has escalated tensions in Eastern Europe, with officials labeling them as deliberate provocations by Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that these incidents represent an expansion of Russia’s conflict beyond Ukraine’s borders and called for stricter measures against Moscow. As NATO member states assess the situation, the alliance’s response will play a critical role in maintaining regional security and upholding collective defense commitments.
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