Both NATO members, Romania and Latvia are investigating incidents involving Russian drones breaching their airspace. These recent incursions have sparked heightened concerns among NATO allies about the increasing frequency of airspace violations along the alliance’s eastern flank.
In Romania, the defence ministry reported detecting a drone entering its national airspace before it exited toward Ukraine. Romanian officials deployed F-16 fighter jets to monitor the situation, identifying a potential impact zone in an uninhabited area near the village of Periprava. Romanian authorities continue to assess the situation and its implications for regional security.
Simultaneously, Latvia reported a drone crash near the city of Rezekne. Initial investigations suggest the drone entered Latvian airspace from Belarus. Leonids Kalnins, commander of Latvia’s joint military headquarters, indicated that experts do not believe the drone had a specific purpose for entering Latvia. Despite this, the incident has raised alarms about the growing number of airspace breaches in the region.
Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics has called for a unified NATO response, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts to address this increasing threat. Both Romania and Latvia have been steadfast supporters of Ukraine amid its ongoing conflict with Russia, and these drone incursions have raised concerns about further destabilization in the region.
The recent incidents have prompted officials to advocate for collective measures to counter future drone activity, highlighting the urgent need for increased vigilance and cooperation among NATO allies. As the situation develops, both countries are working closely with NATO partners to ensure their airspace and national security remain protected.
