Rumania has reported that a Russian drone entered its airspace, making it the second NATO country to experience such an intrusion after Poland’s recent incidents.
Romanian fighter jets were on patrol monitoring Russian strikes in Ukraine on Saturday when the drone was detected near Rumania’s southern border, according to the Ministry of Defence.
Incident Details
- The drone was spotted 20 kilometers southwest of Chilia Veche while two F-16 fighter jets monitored the area.
- It disappeared from radar shortly after detection.
- Authorities confirmed the drone did not enter populated areas and posed no immediate threat.
International Reactions
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the intrusion, calling it “a clear expansion of the war by Russia” rather than an accident. Moscow has not commented on the Romanian claims.
The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, described the event as “another unacceptable violation of the sovereignty of an EU member state.”
Poland had previously reported shooting down at least three Russian drones that entered its airspace earlier this week.
Context
Romanian jets were monitoring the border amid ongoing Russian airstrikes on Ukrainian infrastructure along the Danube River. The incident highlights growing concerns about Russian military activity near NATO member states and underscores the alliance’s heightened vigilance.
Rumania’s report of a Russian drone intrusion underscores the increasing risks of the Ukraine conflict spilling over into NATO territories, with both Romania and Poland now on alert. The international community continues to watch for potential escalations.
