The drone appeared in Romanian airspace early this morning (Picture: AFP)
Russian drones entered a NATO country’s airspace this morning,forcing fighter jets to scramble in response.
Romania said a drone appeared in its airspace this morning near its border after Russian strikes in Ukrainian border towns.
‘The drone reappeared intermittently on radar for approximately 12 minutes,’ the Defence Ministry said in a press release.
They added that ‘no cases of aircraft impact with the ground have been reported’.
On Monday, Romania ordered the evacuation of two villages – the first such evacuation in the country as a result of the war in Ukraine – after a Russian drone attack across the Danube river in neighbouring Ukraine set fire to a ship carrying liquefied petroleum gas. The evacuation order has since been lifted.
Moldova also reported its airspace was breached early this morning,saying in a press release: ‘After an exchange of information with partners in Ukraine and Romania,it has been confirmed that a drone flew over the national airspace.’
It added that the aircraft was flying at a low altitude of approximately 100 metres in the south and was not detected on monitoring systems.
It’s the latest instance of drones spotted in NATO airspace,after dozens of mystery ones shut down airports and some military bases across Europe.
Earlier this year,the US announced it would be reducing the number of troops in NATO’s eastern flank.
The incursion comes after the US reduced the number of troops near Romania’s border (Picture: AFP)
This includes forces that were to be stationed at the Mihail Kogalniceanu air base,which is a strategically important airbase due to its proximity to Ukraine.
It said the decision was expected,given the changes to the ‘new priorities,’ but that roughly 1,000 US troops will continue to be stationed in the country.
‘The decision took into account that NATO has consolidated its presence and activity on the eastern flank,which enables the US to adjust its military posture in the region,’ a statement said.
It did not specify exactly how many US troops will be pulled out of the country.
Romania and NATO in general have attempted to downplay the move.
Defence Minister Ionut Mosteanu told a press briefing that the decision is not a ‘withdrawal.’
He said it was the ‘cessation of the rotation of a brigade that had elements in several Nato countries,including Bulgaria, Romania,Slovakia and Hungary.
The announcement from Romania comes at a time when the continent is at a crossroads with its air defences amid repeated Russian incursions in recent months.
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