Romania Summons Russian Envoy Over Drone Incursion

Tensions Rise on NATO’s Eastern Flank After Russian Drone Breach

Romania has summoned Russia’s ambassador in protest against a Russian drone’s incursion into its airspace, marking the second NATO member in a week to face such a breach amid escalating regional tensions over the Ukraine-Russia war. The incident occurred on Saturday when two Romanian F-16 jets monitored and tracked a Russian drone that entered Romanian territory during Moscow’s attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure along the Danube River. Radar contact with the drone was lost about 20km southwest of the village of Chilia Veche, but authorities said it did not fly over populated areas or pose an imminent threat to civilians.

Romania’s Response and Diplomatic Protest

The Romanian Foreign Ministry, led by Oana Toiu, condemned Moscow’s actions as “unacceptable and irresponsible,” summoning Ambassador Vladimir Lipaev to formally protest the breach. The ministry conveyed a strong message, urging Russia to prevent further similar incursions and highlighting that repeated violations amplify threats to regional security. Romania sees the incident as a challenge to Black Sea stability, coming days after Poland reported Russia sent at least 19 drones into its airspace.

Broader Regional and International Reactions

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the drone’s incursion “an obvious expansion” of Russia’s war beyond Ukraine’s borders and pressed for tougher international sanctions on Moscow. The EU’s foreign policy chief called the event a “reckless escalation,” while the US reassured its commitment to defending “every inch” of NATO territory following similar breaches in Poland. In response, NATO launched “Operation Eastern Sentry,” strengthening air defenses and military activity along the alliance’s eastern flank with help from France, Germany, the UK, and Denmark.

Russian Reaction and Denial

Russia’s embassy in Bucharest denied any drone crossed into Romanian airspace, instead labeling the event “a deliberate provocation by the Kyiv regime”. Moscow accused Romanian authorities of failing to provide convincing evidence and insisted no Russian UAV had violated Romanian territory.

Ongoing Security Concerns

Romania has repeatedly reported drone incidents since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The latest breach underscores the growing risks to regional security, Black Sea stability, and the possibility of further escalation as unmanned aerial vehicles continue to play a major role in contemporary warfare.