NATO has intensified surveillance over Romanian airspace following the incursion of a Russian drone during an attack on Ukraine.

On September 29, NATO deployed an airborne surveillance aircraft (AWACS) to monitor the situation. The decision was made based on a recommendation from NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, with the aim of supporting the Alliance’s enhanced presence in the region and tracking Russian military activity.

The surveillance flights will be conducted from NATO bases in Preveza, Greece, and Geilenkirchen, Germany, and will operate solely over NATO territory. According to the press service of NATO’s Joint Air Force Command, these flights are designed to enhance Romania’s ability to monitor and respond to air activity near its borders.

“NATO AWACS flights over Romania support the Alliance’s reinforced presence in the region and monitor Russian military activity at its borders,” the press service said.

The press service emphasised that such activity represents an appropriate and legitimate response to the incursion, noting that the surveillance is “legal, defensive, proportionate and fully transparent.”

This move follows an incident on September 27, when a Russian drone entered Romanian airspace during a Russian strike on Ukraine’s Odesa region. The intrusion triggered warnings for residents in Tulcea and Constanta counties, as officials cautioned them about the risks of falling debris.

Romania has previously seen incursions into its airspace, including an event on September 7, when Russian Shahed drones entered the country’s territory. These incidents have raised concerns about the safety of Romanian border areas as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to spill over into neighbouring regions.

Post Image – NATO’s AWAC aircraft (Post Image Credit: L'OTAN).