Romania’s radar systems detected a second drone in as many days breaching its national airspace.
Fighter Jets Did Not See The Drone
The Romanian defence ministry said on Saturday that fighter jets scrambled overnight did not see the drone.
Late on Thursday, army radars detected a small flying object – likely a drone – headed for Constanta before losing the signal.
Defence Ministry Analysing Possibility Of A “Cyber Challenge’
Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said on Friday the defence ministry was analysing the possibility of a “cyber challenge”, because pilots did not have visual contact with the drone”.
On Friday night, another drone was detected, up to 19 km inland, also in the southeastern county of Constanta.
Romania once again scrambled two F-16 fighter jets and two Spanish F-18s, which are carrying out air policing missions in the country for the rest of the year.
The pilots did not see the drone.
Residents Of Constanta Asked To Take Measures
In Constanta, residents were warned to take cover.
The European Union and NATO state, which shares a 650-km (400-mile) border with Ukraine, has had Russian drone fragments fall onto its territory repeatedly over the past year as Moscow attacks Ukrainian port infrastructure.
Most of the fragments landed in Romania after being destroyed by Ukrainian air defences.
Concern Over Escalation
Worries of escalation however increased in September when Russian drones breached both Romania and Latvia airspace breached.
Romania had then said that a Russian attack drone targeting civilian infrastructure in neighboring Ukraine overnight had entered its airspace.
Romania had strongly condemned the “renewed violation” brought on by Moscow’s “illegal attacks.”
Romania Asked Moscow To End Repeated Attacks
It called on Moscow to end the “repeated attacks” leading to the “irresponsible escalation” of the security situation in the region
Romania air force planes monitored the situation.
The Romanian Defence Ministry said that residents in Tulcea and Constanta counties near the border of Ukraine were also alerted on phone.
Romania’s air space was breached by a Russian drone again later that month.
