Romania Asks Ukraine to Shoot Down Russian Drones Breaching Romanian Airspace

UPD: Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) agency made a mistake by writing that Romania asked Ukraine to shoot down Russian drones in Romanian airspace

In fact, it was Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha who, during his visit to Bucharest, asked his Romanian counterpart Luminita Odobescu for Romania to shoot down Russian UAVs in the skies over Ukraine.

Romania has called on Ukraine to intercept and shoot down Russian drones that enter its airspace. This request came during discussions with Ukraine’s new Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, who is seeking increased support for Ukraine amid ongoing Russian aggression since 2022.

During his visit to Bucharest, Sybiha emphasized the need for robust backing as Ukraine continues to face substantial military challenges. Romania’s call for action reflects its heightened concerns about national security and the regional implications of the war.

Earlier this month, Romania and Latvia reported that Russian drones and missiles had traversed their airspace during a nighttime assault on Ukraine. Both countries urged the alliance to assist in “boosting our capabilities of detecting, identifying and, if necessary, engaging low and slow flying objects.”

Romanian Defense Minister Angel Tîlvăr emphasized the need for “a robust and coordinated response on an allied level,” as well as the prompt implementation of NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence rotational model, speaking to reporters after a meeting of defense ministers in Bucharest.

Romania, which shares a 650-kilometer border with Ukraine, has experienced repeated incidents of Russian drone fragments entering its territory over the past year. The proximity of Romanian territory to Ukrainian ports on the Danube River, frequently targeted by Russia, has exacerbated the situation.