Romania Scrambles Jets as Russian Drones Target Ukraine Near Border
- Romania's Defense Ministry deployed two Romanian F-16 jets and two Spanish F-18 jets to monitor the situation after Russian drones targeted Ukrainian civilian infrastructure near the border.
- At least one Russian drone may have briefly crossed into Romanian airspace, but no impact area on Romanian territory has been reported.
- The Romanian Defense Ministry condemned the Russian attacks as unjustified and in violation of international law, emphasizing the need for accountability.
On Friday, Romania's Defense Ministry took decisive action by deploying two Romanian F-16 jets and two Spanish F-18 jets to monitor the situation after Russian drones targeted Ukrainian civilian infrastructure close to Romania's border. This military response was initiated between 1:52 a.m. and 3:22 a.m. as a precautionary measure to ensure national security and assess the potential threat posed by the drones. According to Romanian authorities, at least one of the Russian drones possibly crossed into Romania's national airspace around 3 a.m. for a brief period of less than three minutes. However, the ministry clarified that there were no reports of any impact area on Romanian territory, indicating that the situation was managed without direct consequences for Romania. The Romanian Defense Ministry issued a strong condemnation of the Russian attacks, labeling them as unjustified and in serious contradiction with international law. This statement reflects Romania's commitment to upholding international norms and its support for Ukraine amidst ongoing tensions in the region. The incident underscores the heightened military activity and geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe, particularly concerning the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Romania's swift response highlights its role in regional security and the importance of international cooperation in addressing threats to sovereignty and civilian safety.