Russian Drones Invade Romanian Airspace, Escalating Tensions with NATO

Romania Becomes Second NATO Country to Report Russian Drone Incursion into Its Airspace BUCHAREST, Romania - In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Romania has become the second NATO country to report a Russian drone breaching its airspace. According to the Romanian Defence Ministry, two F-16 fighter jets monitoring the border with Ukraine detected a Russian drone 20 kilometers south-west of the village of Chilia Veche on Saturday. The incident occurred while the Romanian jets were tracking a Russian attack on Ukrainian infrastructure near the Danube River. The drone was reportedly detected by radar and disappeared from view shortly after, without posing an imminent threat to populated areas. "This is not a mistake," said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a statement released Wednesday. "This is an obvious expansion of the war by Russia." Poland had previously reported shooting down at least three Russian drones that entered its airspace on Wednesday. The incident has raised concerns among NATO allies about the increasing presence of Russian military assets near their borders. The Romanian Defence Ministry stated that the drone was likely monitoring Ukrainian military operations or gathering intelligence on the country's border with Ukraine. However, Moscow has not commented on the allegations. NATO officials have expressed concern over the growing number of reported incursions into member countries' airspace by Russian drones. "This is a serious escalation and we will continue to monitor the situation closely," said a NATO spokesperson in Brussels. The incident highlights the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, which began with Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014. The conflict has since escalated into a full-scale war, with both sides accusing each other of aggression. Romania, a key player in regional security, has been increasing its military presence along its border with Ukraine in recent months. The country has also participated in NATO-led exercises and operations aimed at deterring Russian aggression in the region. As tensions continue to rise, NATO allies are urging caution and calling for restraint from all parties involved. "We urge Russia to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine," said a NATO official. "Any further escalation will have serious consequences." The incident is likely to be discussed at an upcoming meeting of NATO defence ministers in Brussels next week. Background: Romania has been a member of NATO since 2004. The country shares a border with Ukraine, which has been the site of ongoing conflict between Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian government forces. Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 marked a significant escalation of tensions in the region. NATO has been increasing its military presence in Eastern Europe in response to growing concerns over Russian aggression. Additional perspectives: "This is a clear indication that Russia is willing to take risks and push boundaries," said a senior US official. "We will continue to work with our allies to ensure regional stability." "The incident highlights the need for increased cooperation between NATO member countries on issues of cybersecurity and military intelligence," said a European Union diplomat. Current status: Romania's Defence Ministry has announced an investigation into the incident. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for increased international support in the face of Russian aggression. NATO officials are urging caution and restraint from all parties involved. *Reporting by Bbc.*