The conflict in Ukraine has directly touched NATO soil, with two member states reporting incidents involving Russian drones in the past 24 hours. The events have sparked urgent discussions about the security of the alliance's eastern flank.
Polish armed forces confirmed that a Russian drone breached the country's airspace from Ukraine on Friday morning. According to the operational command, the object entered near the town of Oserdów and was observed by military radar systems throughout its 40-minute flight over Polish territory before exiting.
"All necessary procedures to ensure the security of Polish airspace were activated," the military stated, adding that the incident was "another example of the escalation of actions by the Russian Federation in the zone of the hybrid war."
Romania's Second Incident in Days
In a separate but equally alarming development, Romania's Ministry of National Defence reported discovering debris from what is believed to be a drone on its territory. The remains were found in an agricultural area of Tulcea county, east of the village of Plauru, just miles from the Ukrainian border and the Danube River.
This marks the second such finding in Romania in less than a week, following another drone debris discovery last Sunday. Authorities have cordoned off the area, and bomb disposal experts are conducting an analysis.
NATO's Response and Rising Tensions
These incidents are set to trigger high-level discussions within NATO. The discovery of war debris on the territory of a member state is a serious matter that could lead to the invocation of NATO Article 4, which calls for consultations when a member's territorial integrity or security is threatened.
The events underscore the growing risk of the war in Ukraine spilling over into neighbouring NATO countries, either by accident or through deliberate Russian provocation. The alliance continues to monitor the situation closely, balancing a firm defensive posture with the need to avoid a direct confrontation with Russia.
