Romania summoned Russia’s ambassador to Bucharest Sunday after it became the second NATO country in less than a week to report a Russian drone incursion in its airspace.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on X after Romania reported the airspace incursion: “The Russian military knows exactly where their drones are headed and how long they can operate in the air.
It is an obvious expansion of the war by Russia — and this is exactly how they act.
“This looks like a provocation or a misunderstanding, which the Polish side is not willing to clarify,” Ulyanov added.
Go deeper: Poland, NATO leaders condemn Russian drones in Polish airspace Editor’s note: This article has been updated with comment from Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia’s envoy to international organizations in Vienna.
After becoming the second NATO nation in less than a week to report a Russian drone invasion in its airspace, Romania called Russia’s ambassador to Bucharest on Sunday.
Big picture: Since Poland reported that NATO and Polish jets rushed to intercept Russian drones that broke into its airspace last week during Russia’s war on Ukraine, tensions have escalated in Eastern Europe. An EU official on Sunday called the most recent violation a “reckless escalation.”. “,”.
With backing from France, Germany, and the United States, NATO bolstered its air defense and began operation “Eastern Sentry” on Friday to increase military activity along Europe’s eastern flank. The K. … and Denmark.
Driving the news: According to a statement from the Romanian Defense Ministry, at 6:05 p.m. local time on Saturday, two F-16 aircraft in eastern Romania were “scrambled on an Air Policing mission to monitor the air situation near the border with Ukraine, following Russian strikes on Ukrainian Danube infrastructure.”.
Defense Ministry officials stressed that the drone did not fly over populated areas and “did not pose an imminent threat to the civilian population.” The F-16 “detected and tracked” the drone in Romania’s airspace starting at 6:23 p.m., and radar contact was lost about 12 miles from the small community of Chilia Veche. “.
Officials from Russia did not immediately respond to the report.
The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated on Sunday on social media that “Russia’s incursion into Romanian airspace is once again a blatant violation of EU sovereignty” and that officials are “working closely with Romania and all Member States to protect the EU territory.”. “.
Russia’s ambassador to Bucharest has been called to “protest against this unacceptable and irresponsible act, which represents a violation of Romania’s sovereignty,” Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu told TV station Digi 24. “..”.
Notable: President Trump told reporters Thursday that the Russian drone invasion “may have been an accident, but anyhow, I’m not happy about anything having to do with that whole situation” after Poland reported that Russian drones had invaded its airspace. “..”.
Following Romania’s report of the airspace invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on X: “The Russian military is fully aware of the precise location of their drones and their flight duration. They always calculate their routes.
“Some lower-level commanders’ initiative, a mistake, or a coincidence cannot account for this. It is clear that Russia is escalating the conflict, and they behave in this exact manner. Little victories first, then significant setbacks. “,”.
On the other hand, after Poland reported an air space breach, Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia’s ambassador to international organizations in Vienna, stated on Telegram Sunday that Russian defense ministry officials had “proposed consultations,” but their Polish counterparts were “not ready” for them.
“This appears to be a miscommunication or provocation, which the Polish side is unwilling to address,” Ulyanov continued.
Read more: NATO and Polish leaders denounce Russian drones in Polish airspace.
The editor has added commentary from Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia’s ambassador to international organizations in Vienna, to this article.
