Defence ministry said fighter aircraft were deployed as a drone entered Romanian airspace during a Russian strike near the Ukrainian border, underscoring repeated spillover risks along the Danube frontier
Romania scrambled fighter jets on Thursday after a drone entered its airspace during a Russian strike on Ukrainian infrastructure near the border, according to a Reuters report, citing the defence ministry.
It was the second such breach in as many days, heightening concerns about the spillover of the war into Nato territory.
The EU and Nato member shares a 650-kilometre (400-mile) border with Ukraine and has repeatedly reported drones violating its airspace and debris falling on its territory since Russia began targeting Ukrainian port facilities along the Danube.
In several cases over the past two years, drone fragments have been found on Romanian soil, prompting authorities to issue air raid alerts in border communities and temporarily evacuate residents.
Bucharest has previously condemned the incursions as violations of its sovereignty, while deploying additional air defence measures and stepping up patrols along its eastern frontier.
Nato has also increased aerial surveillance missions in the region following earlier breaches.
Romanian officials have maintained that while there is no indication the country was deliberately targeted, the repeated incidents underscore the risks posed to alliance members bordering Ukraine as Russia continues its aerial campaign.
With inputs from agencies
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