Romania alleges unauthorized drone breach amid Russian strike on Ukraine | Updates on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine

Romania has deployed fighter jets after a drone entered its airspace during a Russian attack on Ukraine, according to the country’s Ministry of National Defence. Ukraine accuses Russia of escalating the war. Poland also dispatched aircraft and closed an airport in the eastern city of Lublin due to the threat of a drone attack. On Saturday, Ukraine’s European Union neighbors have been vigilant ever since Poland shot down Russian drones in its airspace, with support from NATO allies. Romania’s Defence Ministry reported detecting the drone breach late on Saturday and scrambled two F-16 fighter jets, along with two Eurofighters from German air policing missions in Romania, warning citizens to seek cover. The jets tracked the drone until it disappeared from radar near the Romanian village of Chilia Veche. Minister of National Defence Ionut Mosteanu stated that the F-16 pilots were close to intercepting the drone before it exited Romania’s airspace. Romania, an EU and NATO member that shares a 650km border with Ukraine, has experienced repeated incidents of Russian drone fragments falling on its territory since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that data indicates the drone entered approximately 10 km of Romanian territory, operating in NATO airspace for about 50 minutes, accusing Russia of intentionally expanding the war. He emphasized the need for sanctions against Russia, tariffs on Russian trade, and collective defense. Sweden also condemned the drone incursion in Romania, expressing full solidarity with Romania as a NATO ally and EU member state. Sweden is ready to further contribute to the deterrence and defense of the alliance. NATO announced plans to enhance the defense of Europe’s eastern flank after Poland shot down drones, marking the first known shots fired by a Western alliance member during Russia’s war in Ukraine. Poland denies Russia’s claim of accidentally targeting Poland, and several European countries have increased their support for defending Polish airspace in response. United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed concern over the Russian drone incursion into Polish airspace but stated that it remains unclear whether it was a deliberate act by Russia. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk dismissed the idea that the drone attack on Poland was a mistake. US President Donald Trump stated on Saturday that he is prepared to impose major sanctions on Russia as soon as all NATO nations agree to do the same and cease purchasing Russian oil.

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/14/romania-reports-drone-incursion-during-russian-attack-on-ukraine?traffic_source=rss