Romania became the second NATO ally to spot Russian drones in its airspace after Poland did just days before. Both Poland and Romanian forces scrambled fighters in response.
According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Romanian Air Force intercepted a Russian drone violating its airspace near the Danube River. Two allied German Eurofighters were readied in case the situation intensified.
On Sunday, Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk posted on X that “Due to the threat posed by Russian drones operating over Ukraine near the border with Poland, preventive operations of aviation — Polish and allied — have begun in our airspace. Ground-based air defense systems have reached the highest state of readiness.”
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Oana Țoiu, Romania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, said the people of Romania were never in danger, “But such actions by Russia are unacceptable and reckless.”
“Romania condemns Russia’s behaviour and takes the necessary measures to protect its sovereignty and security,” she said.
Țoiu said they are in constant contact with EU and NATO partners.
“We need to effectively increase the cost of Russia’s blatantly illegal and provocative actions by rapidly adopting the 19th sanction package and the full spectrum of measures under NATO operation ‘Eastern Sentry,‘” she added.
According to ABC News, the Defense Ministry said “preliminary reports show the drone flew back to Ukraine. A search team have been dispatched to look out for potential debris.”
More than a dozen Russian drones broke into Polish airspace overnight Tuesday into Wednesday morning. Russia claims the drones mistakenly crossed into Poland after striking targets in Ukraine, but Poland said they tracked some of the drones coming directly from Belarus.
Russian officials say that they had no intention of targeting Poland. Belarus, Russia’s ally, said it had tracked several drones that got jammed and “lost their course.”
Russia’s Defense Ministry said it was willing to hold direct consultations with Poland’s Defense Ministry to explain the events and calm down the rising temperature of the conflict.
