Romania has confirmed that a Russian drone breached its airspace during a military operation near the Ukrainian border, making it the second NATO member to report such an incursion in less than a week.
The Romanian Ministry of Defence stated that two F-16 fighter jets were monitoring Russian airstrikes on Ukrainian infrastructure along the Danube when they detected the drone 20km southwest of Chilia Veche.
Although the drone did not fly over populated areas or pose an immediate threat, its presence has raised alarms across NATO. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the incident “an obvious expansion of the war by Russia,” insisting it was no accident. He urged Western nations to impose stricter sanctions on Moscow.
The incursion follows a similar event in Poland, where authorities shot down at least three Russian drones that entered their airspace on Wednesday. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that both Polish and allied aircraft had begun preventative operations, and ground-based air defense systems were now at their highest readiness level.
Russia’s Ministry of Defence has denied any intention to target facilities on Polish soil, while Belarus claimed the drones that entered Poland were misdirected due to jammed navigation systems.
US President Donald Trump also commented on the situation, stating he was “ready” to impose tougher sanctions on Russia, but only if NATO countries agreed to stop purchasing Russian oil. His remarks come amid heightened tensions following a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska last month, after which Russia intensified its attacks on Ukraine.
Romania, a NATO and EU member, shares a 650km border with Ukraine and has previously reported drone fragments falling within its territory. The latest breach adds to growing concerns that Russia may be testing NATO’s eastern flank, prompting calls for collective defense and increased military readiness.
