Romania scrambled fighter jets following a breach of its airspace by a Russian drone during an attack on Ukraine. The drone, which reportedly operated 10km into Romanian territory for about 50 minutes, exited toward Ukraine after near interception. This incident marks Romania as the latest NATO member to experience airspace violations, closely following Poland’s downing of Russian drones. Russian and Belarusian military exercises also continue in the region, raising tensions.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy condemned the incursion, suggesting it’s an escalation of Russia’s war and calling for collective defense measures among NATO allies. US officials expressed concern over the potential for further escalation and emphasized the need for a united response against Russia. The situation highlights ongoing security challenges in Eastern Europe as NATO looks to reinforce its eastern flank amid increased Russian aggression.