Border Alarm

Romania’s defence ministry says a drone crossed briefly into its airspace during a Russian strike on Ukrainian targets near the border, triggering a quick-reaction launch of F-16s and allied air policing aircraft.

NATO’s Eastern Sentry

It’s the latest breach after a larger incursion into Polish airspace days earlier. NATO allies have stepped up a new “Eastern Sentry” posture, rotating more fighters and surveillance assets across the Black Sea flank to deter spillover from the war.

Rules of Engagement

Romanian pilots were cleared to engage but held fire over collateral-damage concerns. Investigators are reviewing radar tracks and debris reports, while local authorities issued safety advisories for border communities.

Regional Stakes

Each incident carries escalatory risk. A miscalculation could force rapid decisions inside NATO—tightening sanctions, augmenting air defences and hardening critical infrastructure from ports to power.