Romania recently reported a breach of its airspace by a Russian drone, marking the second NATO country to encounter such an incident. On Saturday, Romanian fighter jets were actively monitoring a Russian attack in Ukraine when they tracked the drone about 12 miles from the village of Chilia Veche. The Romanian Defense Ministry noted that the drone did not threaten populated areas and eventually disappeared from radar.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reacted strongly, labeling the incursion as a clear sign of Russia’s growing aggression. He emphasized that it could not have been an accident. Meanwhile, Moscow has not provided any comments on the situation.
Just days before Romania’s report, Poland stated that it had shot down at least three Russian drones entering its airspace. In response, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced heightened alert for aviation operations and ground-based defense systems.
Belarus, a key ally of Russia, claimed that the drones in Poland were unintentional accidents caused by navigation system failures. Russia’s defense ministry later stated there were no plans to target Polish soil.
President Zelensky has called for stricter sanctions against Russia, arguing that the military strategically directs its drones. U.S. President Donald Trump also weighed in, suggesting a willingness to impose tougher sanctions—conditional on NATO countries halting purchases of Russian oil.
The backdrop to these tensions is complex. Since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the conflict has seen persistent hostilities, with Russia’s battlefield advances remaining slow.
According to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, public opinion in NATO countries reflects heightened concern over potential Russian aggression. Approximately 75% of respondents expressed worry about Russia’s military actions in Ukraine being a threat to their nations. This shared anxiety reinforces the importance of NATO’s collective defense commitments in the face of escalating conflicts in Eastern Europe.
The situation continues to evolve, and the international community is closely monitoring these developments. The increased military readiness in multiple NATO countries underscores the gravity of the threat they perceive.
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