• Romania scrambles fighter jets after a Russian drone breaches its airspace during attacks on Ukraine.
• The drone reportedly operated for about 50 minutes in NATO airspace before leaving Romania.
• NATO allies, including Poland, are on high alert following multiple drone incursions by Russia.

Romania has condemned the entry of a Russian drone into its airspace during an attack on neighbouring Ukraine, highlighting that it poses a "new challenge" to security in the Black Sea region. Following the breach, Romania's Defence Ministry stated that two F-16 fighter jets were scrambled to intercept the drone, which was tracked until it disappeared from radar about 20 kilometers southwest of the village of Chilia Veche, after operating in Romanian airspace for approximately 50 minutes, according to Al Jazeera and Channel News Asia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has described the drone incursion as an obvious escalation of the war by Russia, urging for stricter sanctions and collective defence measures from NATO allies. He stressed that such actions should not go unchecked, indicating that Russia’s military is intentionally expanding its operational reach into NATO territories, according to India Times and BBC.

In response to the drone's entry, Romania's Foreign Minister Oana Toiu summoned Russia’s ambassador to convey the country's strong protest over the incident, condemning it as a violation of sovereignty. The Romanian government emphasized that repeated incursions by Russian drones demonstrate a blatant disregard for international law and stability in the region, referencing statements made by European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, according to Newsweek and TRT Global.

Amid these developments, NATO has stepped up its defense measures, launching Operation Eastern Sentry to bolster security on its eastern front after Poland reported multiple drone incursions earlier in the week. NATO allies have deployed additional aircraft to assist in protecting against aerial threats from Russia, as emphasized by UK officials following their own summoning of Russia’s ambassador over the violations, according to AA and SCMP.