Latvia and Romania, NATO members and allies of Ukraine, have reported recent breaches of their airspace by Russian drones. These incidents occurred as tensions between Russia and NATO allies continue to escalate.
On Sunday, Romania reported that a Russian drone had entered its airspace during nighttime attacks across the Danube River in neighboring Ukraine. The Romanian Ministry of National Defence stated that Bucharest had deployed F-16 fighter jets to monitor its airspace and initiate a search for the drone’s debris near a potential crash site close to the border. Fortunately, there have been no immediate reports of casualties or damage. Romania condemned the “renewed violation” by Russia, describing the attacks as “illegal.”
In Latvia, President Edgars Rinkevics confirmed that a Russian military drone had crashed in the eastern part of the country. The Latvian Defence Ministry reported that the drone had entered Latvian airspace from Belarus and crashed near Rezekne, a town located approximately 55 kilometers west of Russia and 75 kilometers from Belarus. This incident, while rare, highlights the ongoing concerns about airspace security in the region. Romania, which shares a 650-kilometer border with Ukraine, has previously reported drone fragments on its territory since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Mircea Geoana, NATO’s outgoing deputy secretary-general and a former top diplomat of Romania, condemned the Russian airspace violations. He stated on social media platform X that while there was no indication of an intentional attack against NATO allies, such acts were “irresponsible and potentially dangerous.”
The breaches underscore the ongoing threats posed by Russia’s aggressive actions. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned the violations and urged for stronger actions from Ukraine’s allies. He called for a collective decision to use partner air defense systems to intercept Russian missiles and drones over Ukraine, faster military aid, and lifting restrictions on Ukraine’s use of weapons.
Poland has also reported incidents of its airspace being breached by Russian missiles or drones, with the most recent occurrence in December. In response to these threats, Romanian lawmakers are considering legislation to authorize the shooting down of drones that invade the country’s airspace during peacetime.
The breaches of Romanian and Latvian airspace serve as a stark reminder of the broader regional tensions and the ongoing risk posed by Russia’s military actions.
