Romania scrambled two F-16 fighter jets after detecting a Russian drone breaching its airspace during attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure. The incident marks another escalation in Russian violations of NATO territory, following Poland's downing of Russian drones last week.
"Romania condemns Russia's behaviour and takes the necessary measures to protect its sovereignty and security," Romanian Foreign Minister Toiu Oana wrote on X. The country shares a 650-kilometre border with Ukraine and has frequently reported Russian drone fragments landing in its territory.
The incident comes as NATO announced plans to strengthen Europe's eastern flank defences. The US has vowed to defend "every inch" of its ally territory after Russian drones breached Polish airspace last week.
Escalating airspace violations
The Romanian F-16s tracked the drone until it "dropped off the radar 20 kilometres southwest of the village of Chilia Veche," according to the defence ministry. Ukrainian intelligence indicates the drone operated in NATO airspace for 50 minutes, flying 10 kilometres into Romanian territory.
Poland shot down Russian drones in its airspace on September 10, marking the first known shots fired by a NATO member during Russia's war in Ukraine. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk (Civic Platform) rejected Russian claims the incursion was accidental, stating: "We would also wish that the drone attack on Poland was a mistake. But it wasn't. And we know it."
US President Donald Trump said he is ready to impose "major sanctions" on Russia over the war in Ukraine - but only if NATO allies meet his conditions. "NATO's commitment to WIN has been far less than 100 per cent, and the purchase of Russian Oil, by some, has been shocking," he wrote on Truth Social.
Ukrainian strikes deep into Russia
Ukrainian drones struck the Metafrax Chemicals plant in Russia's Perm region, approximately 1,800 kilometres from the border. The facility produces key precursors for high explosives used by Russian armed forces, according to defence analysts.
No casualties were reported from the strike, and the plant continues operating normally, according to regional governor Dmitry Makhonin. The attack demonstrates Ukraine's expanding capacity to hit strategic targets deep inside Russian territory.
Russian troops have begun using underground gas pipelines to advance behind Ukrainian lines for the third time since the invasion began. According to Ukrainian intelligence, Russian forces travelled through pipelines for four days using electric scooters and modified stretchers to emerge near Radkivka village.
Sources used: "Independent", "Sky News", "Express", "Metro" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
