Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday that Russia is “testing” NATO’s strength after a Russian drone entered Romanian airspace during an overnight attack on Ukraine. He cautioned that Moscow is attempting to spread the conflict to Poland, the Baltic nations and other alliance members.

 

Romania, which is both a NATO and European Union member, reacted strongly to the incident. The government summoned Russia’s ambassador, Vladimir Lipaev, to Bucharest and delivered a formal protest, describing the drone’s entry as “unacceptable and irresponsible.” The foreign ministry said the breach was a clear violation of sovereignty and a fresh threat to security in the Black Sea region.

 

According to Romania’s defence ministry, the aircraft was identified as a Russian Geran drone. It reportedly crossed into Romanian skies on Saturday, remained for nearly 50 minutes, and then returned toward Ukrainian territory. Officials stressed that it did not pass over populated areas and posed no direct danger to civilians.

 

In response, Romania scrambled two F-16 fighter jets, which were assisted by two German Eurofighter Typhoons. Surveillance tracked the drone’s flight path from the village of Chilia Veche in the northeast to areas near Izmail, before it exited close to Pardina.

 

The incursion raised fresh concerns of escalation, especially after Poland reported only days earlier that its air force had shot down Russian drones breaching its own airspace. Warsaw condemned the violations as deliberate provocations and dispatched fighter aircraft during Russian strikes near its border.

 

Zelensky said the latest developments prove that Moscow is trying to expand the battlefield beyond Ukraine. In his nightly address, he stated, “It is obvious that Russia is looking for ways to push the war into Poland and the Baltic states, and it is now testing Romania as well.”

 

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas denounced the breach as a “reckless” step and another unacceptable violation of an EU member’s sovereignty. She reiterated the bloc’s support for Romania and said she is maintaining close contact with Romanian leaders.

 

Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu confirmed she intends to raise the matter at the upcoming UN General Assembly, stressing the need for strict enforcement of international sanctions.