prompting Bucharest to scramble fighter jets. The drone entered Romanian airspace at 6:05 p.m. local time on Saturday, according to Romania’s defense ministry.

 The incident comes just days after Poland shot down Russian drones that had violated its airspace, leading NATO allies to pledge stronger defenses along the alliance’s eastern flank. Romania’s defense ministry said two F-16 fighter jets on patrol in northern Dobruja intercepted the drone and nearly downed it. The drone orbited for about 50 minutes before leaving Romanian airspace near the town of Pardina and heading back toward Ukraine. The Russian Defense Ministry has not commented on the allegation.

 The defense ministry said the F-16 pilots maintained intermittent visual and radar contact with the drone. They were authorized to shoot it down but decided against opening fire after assessing the risk of collateral damage. “The Ministry of National Defense firmly condemns the irresponsible actions of the Russian Federation and emphasizes that they represent a new challenge to regional security and stability in the Black Sea area,” the statement read. It added that the incident showed Russia’s “lack of respect for international law” and endangered both Romanian citizens and NATO’s collective security.

 Romanian Foreign Minister Luminita Odobescu summoned the Russian ambassador, Vladimir Lipaev, on Sunday, Defense Minister Ionut Moșteanu said. According to Russian state media TASS, Lipaev rejected the accusations and dismissed the incident as “another provocation of the Kyiv regime.”

 EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas condemned the breach as “yet another unacceptable violation of an EU member state’s sovereignty.” Writing on X, she warned that “this continued reckless escalation threatens regional security” and affirmed, “We stand in solidarity with Romania. I am in close contact with the Romanian government.”

 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also commented on X, writing: “Today, Romania scrambled combat aircraft because of a Russian drone in its airspace. According to current data, the drone penetrated about 10 kilometers (around 6 miles) into Romanian territory and operated in NATO airspace for around 50 minutes.” He reiterated calls for sanctions against Russia and stronger collective defense: “Do not wait for dozens of ‘Shaheds’ and ballistic missiles before finally making decisions.” (CNN)