Romania summons Russian ambassador over airspace violation

Romania strongly condemned the entry of a Russian drone into its airspace during an attack on neighboring Ukraine, calling Moscow’s actions a “new challenge” to Black Sea security.

The incident, reported Saturday, marks the second time in a week that a Russian drone has entered European airspace, following a similar incursion in Poland.

In response, Romania scrambled two F-16 fighter jets, which tracked the drone until it left national airspace. German allies supported the operation with two Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft. According to the Romanian Defence Ministry, the “Geran drone used by Russia” orbited for approximately 50 minutes, traveling from northeast of Chilia Veche to southwest of Izmail before returning toward Ukraine. The ministry emphasized that the drone did not fly over populated areas and posed no immediate threat to civilians.

Read more: Zelensky accuses Russia of expanding war by violating Romanian, Polish airspace

“The Romanian Defence Ministry strongly 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 said. It added that “such incidents demonstrate the Russian Federation’s lack of respect for international law.”

Romania’s Foreign Minister Oana Toiu stated that the Russian ambassador to Bucharest, Vladimir Lipaev, would be summoned over the breach. Toiu also said on X that she plans to “raise Russia’s actions at (the) UN General Assembly, urging a strict international adherence to sanctions.”

The European Union’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called the drone intrusion a “reckless” threat to security, writing on X that it was “yet another unacceptable breach of an EU member state’s sovereignty.” She added, “This continued reckless escalation threatens regional security. We stand in solidarity with Romania. I am in close contact with the Romanian government.”

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Romania, a NATO member, has seen multiple drone fragments fall on its territory, particularly as Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports have intensified. In February, the Romanian parliament passed a law allowing the country to shoot down drones that violate its airspace.

Poland, which experienced a similar Russian drone incursion, also condemned the act and called on Moscow to avoid further “provocations,” scrambling fighter jets in response to strikes just over the border in Ukraine.