NATO condemns Russian drone violations of Romania and Latvia airspace

Two NATO members report incursions as an alliance leader decries ‘potentially dangerous’ acts.

Romania and Latvia said Russian drones violated their airspace, as one reportedly flew into Romania during night-time attacks on neighboring Ukraine while another crashed in eastern Latvia the previous day.

A drone entered Romanian territory early on Sunday as Moscow struck “civilian targets and port infrastructure” across the Danube in Ukraine, Romania’s defense ministry said.

NATO’s outgoing deputy secretary general Mircea Geoana said the military alliance condemned Russia’s violation of Romanian airspace.

“While we have no information indicating an intentional attack by Russia against allies, these acts are irresponsible and potentially dangerous.”

Bucharest deployed F-16 warplanes to monitor its airspace and issued text alerts to residents of two eastern regions, it added.

There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

Latvia’s Defense Minister, Andris Sprūds, said a Russian drone fell the day before near the town of Rezekne and had likely strayed into Latvia from neighboring Belarus.

 Latvia’s military similarly said there were no indications that Moscow or Minsk purposely sent a drone into the country.

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