Russian Drone Breaches Romania's Skies, Escalating Tensions with NATO

Romania Becomes Second NATO Country to Report Russian Drone Incursion BUCHAREST, Romania - In a significant escalation of tensions between Russia and the West, Romania has become the second NATO country to report a Russian drone breaching its airspace. The incident occurred on Saturday when Romanian fighter jets were monitoring a Russian attack in Ukraine. According to the Romanian Defence Ministry, two F-16 aircraft detected the Russian drone near Ukraine's southern border while tracking Russian air attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure along the Danube River. The drone was spotted 20 kilometers south-west of the village of Chilia Veche before disappearing from radar. "It is an obvious expansion of the war by Russia," said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a statement, adding that the incursion could not be a mistake. Moscow has yet to comment on the Romanian claims. This incident follows Poland's announcement earlier this week that it had shot down at least three Russian drones that entered its airspace. The Polish Defence Ministry described the drone incursions as "aggressive" and "unacceptable." The detection of the Russian drone in Romanian airspace raises concerns about the potential for further escalation in the region. NATO officials have been monitoring the situation closely, with some expressing concern about Russia's increasing use of drones in Ukraine. "The presence of Russian drones in our airspace is a serious matter," said a senior NATO official, speaking on condition of anonymity. "We are working closely with Romania and other allies to ensure that our collective security is maintained." The incident also highlights the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which has been ongoing since 2014. The use of drones by both sides has become increasingly common in recent months. As tensions continue to rise, NATO officials are urging caution and calling for restraint from all parties involved. "We urge Russia to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighbors," said a NATO spokesperson. The incident is likely to be discussed at an emergency meeting of the NATO-Russia Council, which is scheduled to take place later this week. In related news, the European Union has imposed new sanctions on Russia in response to its actions in Ukraine. The sanctions include restrictions on Russian energy exports and targeted measures against key officials. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the use of drones by Russia in Ukraine has become a major concern for NATO and its allies. *Reporting by Bbc.*