Romania Outraged as Russian Drone Brazenly Invades Its Airspace
Romania reported a drone incursion into its airspace on Saturday, becoming the latest NATO country to face spillover from Russian attacks on Ukraine. Meanwhile, Poland scrambled military aircraft in response to fresh Russian drone strikes near its border.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia is deliberately escalating its drone campaign and urged the West to respond with tougher sanctions and stronger defense coordination.
In Washington, U.S. President Donald Trump said he would impose sweeping sanctions on Russia—once all NATO members commit to doing the same and stop purchasing Russian oil.
Romania’s defense ministry confirmed that two F-16 fighter jets were deployed late Saturday after detecting a drone breaching its airspace during a Russian attack on Ukrainian infrastructure. The drone was tracked until it disappeared from radar near the Romanian village of Chilia Veche.
On the same day, Poland announced that it had activated helicopters and fighter jets as Russian drones struck targets close to its border. The country’s military command said air and ground defense systems had been placed on high alert.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk later confirmed that the high alert was lifted, but added: “We remain vigilant.”
Tensions have been running high since Poland reported that nearly 20 Russian drones crossed into its airspace earlier in the week. While Moscow has denied intentionally targeting Poland, several European countries—including France, Germany, and Sweden—have ramped up efforts to support Polish air defense.
“Today, Romania scrambled fighter jets because of a Russian drone in its airspace,” said President Zelensky. “Poland also responded to drone threats that have been active across various parts of Ukraine throughout the day.”
Zelensky called the incursions an “obvious expansion of the war” by Russia and called for immediate international action.
“We need fresh sanctions and a collective defense strategy,” he said. “Don’t wait for dozens of Shaheds and ballistic missiles before making decisions,” referencing the Iranian-designed drones used by Russia.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed concern about the earlier drone incursion into Poland, calling it potentially “highly escalatory” if found to be intentional.
Trump, who had previously suggested the incursion might have been accidental—a claim rejected by Tusk—reiterated his stance on sanctions via his Truth Social platform:
“I’m ready to do major sanctions on Russia when all NATO Nations have agreed, and when they STOP BUYING OIL FROM RUSSIA.”
Despite repeated threats, Trump has yet to enact any major sanctions during recent escalations.
Meanwhile, inside Russia, a Ukrainian drone reportedly struck a major oil refinery in Ufa, 1,400 kilometers from the front lines. The refinery, owned by Russian oil giant Bashneft, suffered minor damage and a brief fire. A Ukrainian military intelligence source claimed responsibility for the attack.
Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has increasingly targeted Russian oil infrastructure to disrupt the Kremlin’s war funding.
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