Romania confirmed that a Russian drone invaded its airspace on Saturday, marking the second NATO breach within a week, following Poland’s claim that they shot down three drones earlier.
Romania’s Ministry of Defense said that two F-16 fighter jets were tracking Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure near the Danube when the drone had been tracked southwest of Chilia Veche, about 20 kilometers from the border with Ukraine. The drone then disappeared from detection. Officials say it didn’t enter populated areas and didn’t pose an immediate risk.
Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed any idea it was an inadvertent violation, saying it was “an obvious escalatory expansion of the war by Russia.” The Kremlin had no comment.
The EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, condemned the breach as “yet another unacceptable violation of an EU member state’s sovereignty.” In Poland, Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced there would be “preemptive aviation operations” and elevated the states ground-based air defense systems to full readiness in the wake of the recent drone incidents.
Although Russia´s defense ministry reported that they had “no plans” to engage NATO territory, Belarus – Moscow´s close partner reported that the drones that entered Polish territory were not deliberate as they were caused by jamming. In addition, the Czech Republic sent three Mi-171S combat helicopters to Poland to strengthen NATO´s eastern defenses.
As well, President of the United States Donald Trump stated that he was prepared to reprimand Russia with tougher sanction if NATO nations agreed to stop purchasing Russian oil, linking economic pressure with unity of allies.
