Romania becomes 2nd NATO nation in a week to report Russian drone in its airspace

Romania summoned Russia's ambassador to Bucharest Sunday after it became the second NATO country in less than a week to report a Russian drone incursion in its airspace.The big picture: Tensions have been heightened in Eastern Europe since Poland reported that NATO and Polish jets scrambled to intercept Russian drones that breached its airspace last week during Russia's war on Ukraine, and an EU official on Sunday denounced the latest incursion as a "reckless escalation." Screenshot: Kaja Kallas, EU foreign policy chief/XNATO strengthened its air defense and launched operation "Eastern Sentry" on Friday to bolster military activity along Europe's eastern flank, with support from France, Germany, the U.K. and Denmark.Driving the news: Two F-16 jets in eastern Romania were "scrambled on an Air Policing mission to monitor the air situation near the border with Ukraine, following Russian strikes on Ukrainian Danube infrastructure" at 6:05 pm Saturday local time, per a statement from the Romanian defense ministry.The F-16 "detected and tracked" the drone in Romania's airspace from 6:23 pm and radar contact was lost some 12 miles from the small community of Chilia Veche, according to the defense ministry, which emphasized that the drone did not fly over populated areas and "did not pose an imminent threat to the civilian population."Russian officials did not immediately comment on the report.What they're saying: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on her social media accounts Sunday that "Russia's incursion into Romanian airspace is once again a blatant violation of EU sovereignty" and officials are "working closely with Romania and all Member States to protect the EU territory."Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu told TV station Digi 24 that Russia's to Bucharest had been summoned in "protest against this unacceptable and irresponsible act, which represents a violation of Romania's sovereignty."Of note: After Poland reported its airspace had been breached by Russian drones, President Trump told reporters Thursday the incursion "could have been a mistake, but regardless, I'm not happy about anything having to do with that whole situation."Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on X after Romania reported an airspace incursion: "The Russian military knows exactly where their drones are headed and how long they can operate in the air. Their routes are always calculated. "This cannot be a coincidence, a mistake, or the initiative of some lower-level commanders. It is an obvious expansion of the war by Russia — and this is exactly how they act. Small steps at first, and eventually big losses."The other side: Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's envoy to international organizations in Vienna, said on Telegram Sunday in response to Poland reporting an air space breach that the Russian defense ministry officials had "proposed consultations," but their Polish counterparts were "not ready" for these."This looks like a provocation or a misunderstanding, which the Polish side is not willing to clarify," Ulyanov added.Go deeper: Poland, NATO leaders condemn Russian drones in Polish airspaceEditor's note: This article has been updated with comment from Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's envoy to international organizations in Vienna.

Comments

World news

Florida attorney general says cops should stop enforcing open carry gun ban after court ruling

Independent

Comments

Similar News

Ukraine-Russia war latest: Romania summons Russian envoy after second Nato country reports drone incursion

Romania condemns Russian drone violation of its airspace

Romania scrambles jets after Russian drone breaches airspace during Ukraine strikes

Romania becomes second Nato country to report Russian drone in its airspace

Romania scrambles jets after Russian drone 'breaches airspace' - as Zelenskyy warns of war 'expansion'

Ukraine-Russia war latest: Romania scrambles jets accusing Moscow of another drone breach after Poland incursion

Romania Reports Russian Drone in Its Airspace

Romania reports Russian drone in its airspace as Poland scrambles jets again

World news

Florida attorney general says cops should stop enforcing open carry gun ban after court ruling

Russia shows off conventional and nuclear military might in drills — and raises tensions with NATO

Tyson Foods to eliminate high-fructose corn syrup in brands like Jimmy Dean and Hillshire Farm

A new Ebola outbreak has been declared. Here’s what we know

Luigi Mangione due in court amid double jeopardy fight in UnitedHealthcare CEO’s killing

How hands-off investing could have made you six times more than saving this year

‘I fought in Afghanistan but faulty earplugs left me with physical and mental scars’

Birmingham City and the battle of ambition vs tradition

I’m a first-time buyer – why does being self-employed mean I can borrow less?

Canada’s friendly seafood capital with a road trip and vineyards nearby

Sorry book snobs – Richard Osman’s The Impossible Fortune is a delight

Trump’s Tariffs Start to Bite in Vietnam

ADHD and bipolar patients face medicine delays – even when drugs are in stock

My Man Utd XI to save Amorim’s job – with three major changes

Please stop suggesting a date night – I’d rather you unblock the drain

DWP imposes ‘gagging order’ on disability experts ahead of PIP review

"Not welcome": Rubio says U.S. is deporting visa holders who celebrated Kirk's death

What to know about the US deportations to non-citizen African countries

Photos show how an Indonesian motorbike mechanic became a macaw trainer

Polls open in Malawi’s presidential and parliamentary elections

Trump World’s Deals With the U.A.E.

‘Squid Game’ Star Lee Jung-jae Talks About Korean Fan Culture

President Trump’s State Visit to the UK: What to Know

National park to remove exhibit of famed photograph showing former slave’s scarred back, says report

Ukraine-Russia war latest: Poland asks Nato to impose no-fly zone over Ukraine to stop Putin’s drone incursions

Drills in Belarus and drone incursions into Romania: How the war in Ukraine has already become a European conflict

E-bike battery fire displaces 11 people from Vancouver home

Drought level in the Okanagan increases under new provincial system

Brit tourist 'puts men to shame' in Benidorm with astonishing record break

'Tinder Swindler' con artist arrested in Georgia

Senate clears Trump pick Miran to Fed board ahead of key interest rate vote

Court stops Trump’s attempt to fire Fed Board Governor Lisa Cook

Wellington Bridge closure worries small business owners in west-central Edmonton

Recreate our favourite beauty looks from TIFF 2025

Lethbridge first responders celebrate 1 year of youth initiative

Bridgeland business speaks out about street being ripped up 3 times in a year

Alberta takes teachers’ union to labour board over accusations of false claims

Schwarzenegger decries polarization, criticizes Newsom's gerrymandering effort

Face-to-face with Zelenskyy, his frustration is clear

Zelenskyy makes demand of Trump - and issues warning to NATO

Republicans dare Democrats on avoiding government shutdown

Trump nominee Miran confirmed to Fed ahead of rate decision

Scoop: A group of House Democrats has a steep demand list to stop a shutdown

Republicans scramble to kick Ilhan Omar off committees over her Charlie Kirk comments

SEC "prioritizing" Trump bid to change public company reporting rules

Thousands flagged to face "consequences" for cheering Charlie Kirk's death

Appeals court rules Fed governor Cook can continue to serve

Queer advocacy group asks mayor, council to declare Calgary a sanctuary city

California man steals ambulance from paramedics attending fatal stabbing near high school, say cops

As Charlie Kirk crisscrossed the country, security levels varied from venue to venue

Elon Musk piggybacks Tommy Robinson and brings his troll show to Britain after being banished from the White House

SC lawmaker wants to pull funding from major college over three faculty members’ alleged Charlie Kirk comments

Trump hints at how he could arrest flag burners despite free speech protections

Lone survivor of East Vancouver triple stabbing dies in hospital

Trump deploys U.S. troops to Memphis in ‘replica’ of D.C. crime crackdown

Saskatchewan family demands action after 2-year-long murder investigation

Israel, U.S. show unity as other allies condemn attack on Qatar

The US and China have a new TikTok “deal”

First deportation flight to France ‘stalled after last-minute challenge’

Historically Black colleges see funding boost despite Trump's war on DEI