Romania has confirmed that a drone entered its airspace amid Russian attacks on Ukraine, prompting NATO forces to respond. Poland, anticipating similar threats, dispatched fighter jets and reinforced its defenses along the eastern frontier.
Drone Spotted in Romanian Airspace
The Defence Ministry in Bucharest stated that radar detected a drone approximately 10 kilometers inside Romanian territory before it vanished near the Danube Delta village of Chilia Veche. Authorities noted that the aircraft flew at low altitude and did not pass over populated areas.
Romania reacted by sending two F-16 fighter jets, supported by NATO Eurofighters in the region. Residents in Tulcea County were issued alerts advising them to stay indoors until the situation was resolved.
Officials later confirmed that the drone returned to Ukrainian airspace, causing no injuries or property damage.
Conflicting Reports on Duration
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed the drone lingered in NATO-controlled airspace for almost fifty minutes, framing the incident as an intentional escalation by Moscow.
Romania’s Defence Minister stated that pilots were ready to engage the drone but held fire once radar indicated it was leaving Romanian skies.
Poland Takes Precautionary Action
Polish authorities also responded late Friday following indications of drone activity near their border. Fighter jets were launched, Lublin airport was temporarily closed, and air defense systems were placed on alert.
No incursions were confirmed inside Polish airspace, but officials stressed that the measures were necessary given repeated drone threats in the region.
Security Concerns for NATO’s Eastern Flank
Both Romania and Poland have previously discovered fragments from Russian drones on their territory, raising concerns about the potential spillover of the Ukraine conflict into NATO countries.
NATO confirmed it had been briefed on the Romanian incursion and emphasized that civilians were not at risk. The episode, however, highlights ongoing security pressures along the alliance’s eastern border.
