Romania Becomes Second NATO Country Violated by Russian Drone as Moscow Expands Aggression

Romania reported that its air force detected a Russian drone entering its airspace on Saturday, marking the second incursion into NATO territory by Russian drones this week. The incident occurred during a Russian attack on Ukrainian infrastructure near the Romania-Ukraine border.

According to Romania’s Ministry of Defence, two F-16 fighter jets were scrambled to monitor the drone, which was observed over an uninhabited area about 20 kilometers from the border. The drone operated within Romanian airspace for approximately 50 minutes before disappearing from radar. Officials confirmed the drone did not fly over any populated areas and posed no immediate danger to civilians.

Romanian Foreign Minister Oana-Silvia Toiu described the incursion as “unacceptable and reckless.” The ministry emphasized that Romanian law permits the downing of any unauthorized aircraft entering its airspace, although the drone was not engaged on this occasion.

This drone violation follows a similar breach earlier this week when Poland intercepted more than a dozen Russian drones in its airspace, prompting NATO to deploy fighter jets in defense of its member states. Poland activated Article 4 of the NATO treaty, calling for alliance discussions about the heightened threat.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the drone incursions, calling them “an obvious expansion of the war by Russia.” He highlighted that the drones’ flight paths appear meticulously planned rather than accidental, signaling a clear provocation towards NATO countries.

The Romanian drone incursion has intensified NATO’s alert status amid ongoing Russian drone and missile strikes targeting Ukraine. NATO forces continue to closely monitor airspace security along alliance borders in response to these escalating tensions.