Russian drone enters Romanian airspace, army warns population

Romania deployed F-16 fighter jets on Saturday after a drone entered its airspace during a Russian attack on Ukrainian infrastructure near the border. The incident occurred in the southeastern district of Tulcea, where authorities urged the population to seek shelter.

According to the Ministry of Defense, the drone did not fly over populated areas and did not pose an immediate threat. The fighter jets tracked it until it disappeared from radar about 20 kilometers southwest of the village of Chilia Veche.

Romania, a member of the EU and NATO, has already registered Russian drones on its territory on several occasions. However, none have been shot down so far.

Although parliament passed a law this year allowing the army to shoot down drones even in peacetime, the implementing regulations are still lacking. Following a similar incident in Poland, NATO has already announced that it will strengthen the defense of its eastern flank.

(reuters, mja)