Romania becomes second NATO ally to have its airspace penetrated by a Russian drone

On 13 September 2025 Romania became the second NATO country to have its airspace penetrated by a Russian drone.

The incident followed the incursion into Polish airspace on the night of 9/10 September of 19 Russian drones, which were shot down by Polish F-16 and Dutch F-35 fighters.

The Romanian Ministry of National Defence (MND) stated on its website on 14 September, “A Geran drone used by the Russian Federation in its attacks on Ukraine penetrated the Romanian airspace on Saturday, September 13th, at 6:05 pm [local time] and was intercepted by two F-16 fighter jets, which were conducting an air patrol mission in northern Dobruja. The drone orbited for approximately 50 minutes, from north-east of Chilia Veche to south-west of Izmail, and left the national airspace near the town of Pardina, heading towards Ukraine.

Geran-2 is the Russian designation for the Iranian-designed Shahed 136 loitering munition.

The MND added that the Romanian F-16s tracking the Russian drone were authorise to shoot it down “but at the moments when they had direct contact, they assessed the collateral risks and decided not to open fire”.

Two German Eurofighters based at Romania’s Mihail Kogălniceanu airbase were also scrambled to support the Romanian F-16s and “monitored the area until 9:30 pm”.

The Romanian MND stated that it “firmly condemns the Russian Federation’s irresponsible actions and emphasises that they represent a new challenge posed to regional security and stability in the Black Sea area.

“Such incidents demonstrate the Russian Federation’s lack of respect for the norms of international law and endanger not only the Romanian citizens’ safety, but also NATO’s collective security,” said the MND, adding, “Romania remains firmly committed to fulfilling its commitments as a member state of the Alliance and will continue to closely work with its partners and allies to monitor and defend the national airspace.”

Romania’s Law No 73, enacted in July 2025, provides the legal framework for the shooting down of drones and unmanned aerial vehicles that penetrate Romania’s national airspace without authorisation.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on his X social media ccount on 13 September, “The Russian military knows exactly where their drones are headed and how long they can operate in the air. Their routes are always calculated. This cannot be a coincidence, a mistake, or the initiative of some lower-level commanders. It is an obvious expansion of the war by Russia – and this is exactly how they act. Small steps at first, and eventually big losses.

“That is why action must always be preventive, based on the principle that there are no minor military threats from those who are accustomed to destroying the independence and lives of others. Russia is accustomed to this and must feel the consequences.”

On 12 September, in response to the Russian drone incursion over Poland, NATO Secretary General Rutte and Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) General Alexus G Grynkewich held a joint press conference to announce the launch of ‘Eastern Sentry’: a military activity aimed at bolstering NATO’s posture to the east. This will involve “a range of Allied assets and feature both traditional capabilities and novel technologies, including elements designed to address challenges associated with drones”, according a report on the NATO website.