Romania 2nd NATO nation in a week to report Russian drone in its airspace
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F-16 jets during the Bucharest International Air Show in Bucharest, Romania, in August. Photo: Cristian Cristel/Xinhua via Getty Images
Romania summoned Russia's ambassador to Bucharest Sunday after it became the second NATO country in less than a week to report a Russian drone incursion in its airspace.
The big picture: Tensions have heightened in Eastern Europe since Poland reported that NATO and Polish jets scrambled to intercept Russian drones that breached its airspace last week during Russia's war on Ukraine, and an EU official on Sunday denounced the latest violation as a "reckless escalation."
- NATO strengthened its air defense and launched operation "Eastern Sentry" on Friday to bolster military activity along Europe's eastern flank, with support from France, Germany, the U.K. and Denmark.
Driving the news: Two F-16 jets in eastern Romania were "scrambled on an Air Policing mission to monitor the air situation near the border with Ukraine, following Russian strikes on Ukrainian Danube infrastructure" at 6:05pm Saturday local time, per a statement from the Romanian Defense Ministry.
- The F-16 "detected and tracked" the drone in Romania's airspace from 6:23pm and radar contact was lost some 12 miles from the small community of Chilia Veche, according to the Defense Ministry, which emphasized that the drone did not fly over populated areas and "did not pose an imminent threat to the civilian population."
- Russian officials did not immediately comment on the report.
What they're saying: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on her social media accounts Sunday that "Russia's incursion into Romanian airspace is once again a blatant violation of EU sovereignty" and officials are "working closely with Romania and all Member States to protect the EU territory."
- Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu told TV station Digi 24 that Russia's ambassador to Bucharest had been summoned in "protest against this unacceptable and irresponsible act, which represents a violation of Romania's sovereignty."
Of note: After Poland reported its airspace had been breached by Russian drones, President Trump told reporters Thursday the incursion "could have been a mistake, but regardless, I'm not happy about anything having to do with that whole situation."
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on X after Romania reported the airspace incursion: "The Russian military knows exactly where their drones are headed and how long they can operate in the air. Their routes are always calculated.
- "This cannot be a coincidence, a mistake, or the initiative of some lower-level commanders. It is an obvious expansion of the war by Russia — and this is exactly how they act. Small steps at first, and eventually big losses."
The other side: Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's envoy to international organizations in Vienna, said on Telegram Sunday in response to Poland reporting an air space breach that the Russian defense ministry officials had "proposed consultations," but their Polish counterparts were "not ready" for these.
- "This looks like a provocation or a misunderstanding, which the Polish side is not willing to clarify," Ulyanov added.
Go deeper: Poland, NATO leaders condemn Russian drones in Polish airspace
Editor's note: This article has been updated with comment from Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's envoy to international organizations in Vienna.
