Sunday, September 14, 2025 -Romania scrambled two F-16 fighter jets after a drone crossed into its airspace during a Russian strike on Ukraine near the border. The drone was tracked as it entered Tulcea County, close to the Danube delta, before disappearing from radar about 20 kilometers southwest of Chilia Veche.
Defense officials stressed that it did not fly over populated areas and posed no immediate danger, but the breach highlights the risks faced by NATO members bordering the war zone.
The incident sparked alarm across the region, with Romanian authorities on heightened alert. President Klaus Iohannis condemned the incursion as a violation of national sovereignty, while defense leaders assured the public that rules of engagement now allow drones to be shot down if they threaten Romanian territory.
Ukraine, for its part, framed the breach as further proof that Russia’s aggression is spilling beyond its borders. NATO allies, already wary after similar events in Poland, voiced support for Romania’s quick response.
This episode underscores the precarious balance on Europe’s eastern flank. Each drone that crosses NATO airspace raises the risk of escalation, testing the alliance’s readiness and its red lines.
Romania’s swift reaction signals determination to defend its skies, but it also puts pressure on NATO to strengthen aerial defenses and clarify its stance on future incursions. As drone warfare intensifies, the possibility of a miscalculation drawing NATO deeper into the conflict grows ever more real.
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