Romania has found itself at the center of rising tensions in Eastern Europe after a Russian drone breached its airspace during an attack on Ukraine, making it the second NATO country in less than a week to report such an incursion. The incident, which occurred on September 13, 2025, has sparked strong condemnation from Romanian and European officials, prompted a diplomatic protest, and fueled new concerns about regional security along NATO's eastern flank.
The Romanian Ministry of Defense reported that two F-16 fighter jets were scrambled at 6:05 p.m. local time on Saturday to monitor airspace near the border with Ukraine, following Russian strikes on Ukrainian Danube infrastructure. According to the ministry, the jets "detected and tracked" the Russian drone in Romanian airspace from 6:23 p.m., maintaining intermittent visual and radar contact. The drone orbited for approximately 50 minutes, penetrating about 10 kilometers (around 6 miles) into Romanian territory before radar contact was lost near the small community of Chilia Veche and the town of Pardina, after which it returned to Ukraine.
Importantly, Romanian authorities emphasized that the drone did not fly over populated areas and "did not pose an imminent threat to the civilian population." Despite being authorized to shoot down the drone, the F-16 pilots opted not to open fire, citing collateral risk assessments. This measured response was echoed in a statement from the Ministry of National Defense, which "firmly condemns the irresponsible actions of the Russian Federation and emphasizes that they represent a new challenge to regional security and stability in the Black Sea area." The ministry further asserted that "such incidents demonstrate the Russian Federation's lack of respect for international law" and endanger both Romanian citizens and NATO's collective security.
Romania's reaction was swift and unequivocal. On Sunday, September 14, Foreign Minister Oana Toiu summoned Russia's ambassador to Bucharest, Vladimir Lipaev, to deliver a formal protest. The ministry conveyed its "strong protest against this unacceptable and irresponsible act, which constitutes a violation of [its] sovereignty," according to a statement released after the meeting. The statement added, "Such recurring incidents contribute to the escalation and amplification of threats to regional security," and Moscow was "urgently requested...to prevent any future violations."
Russian officials, for their part, have yet to comment directly on the Romanian claims. However, Russian state media TASS reported that Ambassador Lipaev rejected the accusations during his meeting with Romanian officials, calling the incident "another provocation of the Kyiv regime." This stance echoes comments made by Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's envoy to international organizations in Vienna, who, in response to similar drone incursions into Polish airspace, suggested that the incidents "look like a provocation or a misunderstanding, which the Polish side is not willing to clarify." Ulyanov maintained that Russian defense ministry officials had "proposed consultations" but that their Polish counterparts were "not ready" for these.
Romania is not alone in facing these aerial provocations. Just days earlier, on September 10, Poland reported that it had shot down at least three Russian drones that had entered its airspace. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk responded by announcing that "preventative operations of aviation—Polish and allied—have begun in our airspace," and that "ground-based air defense systems have reached the highest state of readiness." Belarus, a close Russian ally, claimed that the drones which entered Polish airspace were an accident, attributing the breach to navigation system jamming.
The broader NATO alliance has responded with heightened vigilance. On September 12, 2025, NATO launched operation "Eastern Sentry" to strengthen air defense along Europe's eastern flank, with support from France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Denmark. The Czech Republic also announced on September 14 that it had sent a special operations helicopter unit—three Mi-171S helicopters equipped for combat—to Poland in response to the latest Russian incursions. These moves underscore the seriousness with which NATO members are treating the threat of Russian drones straying, intentionally or otherwise, into alliance airspace.
European leaders have not minced words in their condemnation. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated on social media that "Russia's incursion into Romanian airspace is once again a blatant violation of EU sovereignty," adding that officials are "working closely with Romania and all Member States to protect the EU territory." Kaja Kallas, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, echoed this sentiment, calling the violation "yet another unacceptable breach of an EU member state's sovereignty." Kallas warned, "This continued reckless escalation threatens regional security. We stand in solidarity with Romania. I am in close contact with the Romanian government."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been particularly vocal, characterizing the drone incursion as a deliberate escalation by Moscow. In remarks on September 14, Zelensky asserted, "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." He further accused Russia of "testing" Romania and seeking to "bring the war" to Poland and the Baltic states, and renewed calls for increased sanctions and collective defense measures from Western allies. "Do not wait for dozens of 'shaheds' and ballistic missiles before finally making decisions," Zelensky urged.
Romania's defense ministry has also highlighted the pattern of drone incidents since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, noting that several drone fragments have crashed on Romanian territory, particularly as Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports have intensified. In February, the Romanian parliament adopted a law allowing the country to shoot down drones breaching its airspace, reflecting the growing concern over such violations.
As for the United States, President Donald Trump weighed in on the recent airspace breaches, saying he was "ready" to impose tougher sanctions on Russia, but only if NATO countries met certain conditions, such as stopping the purchase of Russian oil. Trump has positioned himself as leading efforts to end the war, though Russian attacks on Ukraine have intensified since President Vladimir Putin's return from a summit with Trump in Alaska last month.
With NATO allies scrambling jets, summoning ambassadors, and reinforcing air defenses, the message from Bucharest, Warsaw, Brussels, and Kyiv is clear: the alliance views these drone incursions as more than isolated incidents—they are seen as part of a broader Russian strategy to test NATO's resolve and sow uncertainty along its borders. Whether these incidents are deliberate provocations, technical mishaps, or something in between, the stakes for regional security and alliance unity have rarely felt higher.
As Romania and its allies brace for possible further provocations, the eyes of Europe remain fixed on the skies, watching for what—or who—might cross the line next.
