NATO Allies Scramble Jets After Russian Drone Violates Romanian Airspace

LONDON – NATO allies Poland and Romania were forced to scramble fighter jets over the weekend in response to intensified Russian drone and missile attacks targeting Ukraine, which culminated in a confirmed violation of Romanian airspace by a Russian drone. The incidents highlight escalating tensions and NATO’s ongoing efforts to bolster defensive measures along its eastern flank.

On Saturday, the Polish military deployed jets along its border with Ukraine amid Russian aerial assaults, though no airspace violations were ultimately recorded in Polish territory. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk reported that defenses reached their “highest state of readiness” due to the threat posed by Russian drones operating near the border.

Further south, Romania’s Defense Ministry confirmed that a Russian drone violated its airspace on Saturday. Two F-16 fighters were dispatched to monitor the situation after Russian air attacks targeted Ukrainian infrastructure on the Danube River, which forms part of the border. The drone was tracked approximately 20 kilometers southwest of Chilia Veche before disappearing from radar, with the ministry stating it did not pose an immediate danger to populated areas. Preliminary reports suggest the drone returned to Ukraine, and a search team has been deployed to look for potential debris.

This marks the eleventh such incident of Russian drone violation in Romanian airspace since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Romanian Defense Minister Ionut Mosteanu condemned Russia’s “reckless behavior,” emphasizing NATO’s vigilance and readiness to defend allied airspace.

The incident follows a week where Polish and Dutch fighters reportedly destroyed three Russian drones over Poland, marking the first instances of NATO nations downing such incursions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on the latest violation, stating the drone flew about six miles into Romania and operated in NATO airspace for around 50 minutes, calling it an “obvious expansion of the war by Russia.”

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s air force reported downing 52 out of 58 Russian drones and one missile launched overnight into Sunday. Conversely, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed its forces downed at least 103 Ukrainian drones during the same period.

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