NATO fighter jets were scrambled overnight as a Russian drone “violated” Polish airspace yet again.
Russian drone also “breached” Romanian “airspace” and Romania fighter jets were scrambled on Saturday evening.
Romania is now the latest NATO member state to report “breaches of airspace” by Russian drones following NATO fighter jets shooting down drone over Poland last Wednesday which was the first time the West engaged directly against Moscow.
Russia attacked Ukraine ports on the River Danube prompting two F-16 fighter jets being scrambled.
A Russian drone was being tracked southwest of Chilia Veche, Romania and then vanished from radar.
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The Romanian defence ministry said, the drone “did not fly over populated areas and did not pose an immediate threat to the safety of the population.”
The Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces said in a statement, “Please note that due to the threat of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) strikes in regions of Ukraine bordering Poland, military aircraft have begun operating in our airspace.”
The Polish military said, “These measures are preventive in nature and are aimed at securing our airspace and protecting our citizens, especially in areas adjacent to the threatened area.”
The Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said in a statement, “Ground-based air defense systems have been placed on high alert.”
Poland’s Lublin Airport was temporarily closed overnight after Russian drones were seen operating over Ukraine close to Poland’s airspace.
The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked Washington for action to stop Russia’s “war machine.”
Zelensky said, “Everyone sees that Russia’s war against Ukraine is Putin’s war. Everyone sees that the Russian drones attacking Poland are also Putin’s war. And this is a warning not only to Poland but to all of Europe.
“Romania scrambled combat aircraft due to a Russian drone in its airspace…..
“The Russian military clearly understands where their drones are directed and how long they can stay in the air.
“The routes are always calculated.
“This cannot be a coincidence, mistake, or unauthorised action by lower-level commanders.
“This is an obvious expansion of the war by Russia, and this is exactly how they operate.”
The US Secretary Marco Rubio said the Polish airspace “violation” is “unacceptable and unfortunate and dangerous,” warning that if this was intentional then this will be “a highly escalatory move.
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