On February 25, during a Russian assault on Ukraine, a Russian drone briefly crossed into Romanian airspace, raising security concerns for the neighboring country. This incident was reported by Ukrainian and Romanian media outlets, which noted that the Romanian Ministry of National Defence had tracked the drone through radar as it approached the national border. The breach led to the issuance of an alert to residents in northern Tulcea county, indicating the heightened state of vigilance due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

In response to the drone incursion, Romania's government dispatched two F-16 fighter jets from Feteşti Air Base around 17:50 to monitor the situation. The drone was detected entering Romanian airspace close to the settlement of Sfântu Gheorghe and subsequently exited the airspace north of Sulina while crossing over territorial waters. Officials clarified that there was no immediate threat to civilian safety, although the event underscored the potential for the conflict in Ukraine to spill over into neighboring countries, particularly with the ongoing military activities in the region.

This incident highlights the delicate security dynamics in Eastern Europe, where the conflict between Ukraine and Russia has raised the stakes for countries in the vicinity. The Romanian government’s swift reaction to the drone breach demonstrates its commitment to maintaining national security and readiness to respond to potential threats arising from the conflict next door. As tensions continue in the region, such incidents may prompt further military preparedness and cooperation among NATO allies, especially in the context of monitoring and safeguarding airspace from foreign military incursions.