Romania scrambled fighter jets after a drone violated its airspace during Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure near their shared border, the Defence Ministry confirmed.
Defence Minister Ionut Mosteanu said F-16 pilots engaged the low-flying drone, but it exited Romanian airspace heading back to Ukraine before being intercepted. Residents near the Danube border in Tulcea county were advised to take shelter.
Poland also reacted by deploying jets and temporarily closing Lublin airport amid drone threats. Earlier, Poland shot down several Russian drones with NATO support, marking the first Western alliance use of force since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Romania, which shares a 650-kilometre border with Ukraine, has endured multiple drone incidents linked to the war. This year, its parliament authorised the military to shoot down drones breaching its airspace during peacetime under certain threat conditions, though enforcement rules are still being finalised.
NATO announced plans to strengthen its eastern defences following Poland’s shoot-downs, reflecting growing worries over Russian drone activities extending beyond Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on social media platform X the drone entered 10 kilometres into Romanian airspace and remained for around 50 minutes. He called the breach “an obvious expansion of the war by Russia” and insisted on stronger sanctions and collective defence.
Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard condemned the violation as “unacceptable” and voiced support for Romania, pledging Sweden’s commitment to Alliance deterrence and defence.