- Latvia reported a Russian drone breach.
- Romania found drone fragments multiple times.
- NATO condemned the violations.
Latvia and Romania, NATO allies of Ukraine, have reported that Russian drones breached their airspace. Romania said a drone entered its airspace during nighttime attacks over the Danube River in Ukraine on Sunday. Latvia reported a separate incident where a drone crashed in the eastern part of the country the day before.
Romania’s Ministry of National Defence announced that Bucharest had deployed F-16 fighter jets to monitor its airspace and was searching for debris from a Russian drone near the border. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. The Romanian government condemned the “renewed violation” by Moscow, calling the attacks illegal.
In Latvia, President Edgars Rinkevics reported that a Russian military drone had crashed in the eastern part of the country. According to the Defence Ministry, the drone had entered Latvian airspace from Belarus and crashed near Rezekne, a town about 55 km west of Russia and 75 km from Belarus.
While the incursion into Latvian airspace was unusual, Romania has frequently found drone fragments on its territory since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Romania, which shares a 650 km (400 mile) border with Ukraine, has been directly affected by the conflict.
Mircea Geoana, NATO’s outgoing deputy secretary-general and a former Romanian diplomat, condemned Russia’s airspace violations. He stated on social media platform X, “While there’s no evidence of an intentional attack on Allies, these acts are irresponsible and potentially dangerous.”
Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukrainian cities and Danube River ports near Romania during nighttime attacks. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned the breaches of Romanian and Latvian airspace, describing them as a “stark reminder” of Russia’s broader aggression. He called for concrete action from Ukraine’s allies.
“A brave collective decision to use partner air defence to intercept Russian missiles and drones over Ukraine. Stronger and faster military aid for Ukrainian warriors. Lifting restrictions on Ukraine’s use of weapons. Act now,” he said.
Poland has also recorded at least two cases of its airspace being violated by Russian missiles or drones attacking Ukraine, most recently in December.
Romanian lawmakers plan to consider legislation at their current session on enabling Romania to shoot down drones invading the country’s airspace in peacetime.
