NATO Active: Russian Drones Breach NATO Airspace as Poland and Romania Scramble Jets
Poland and Romania scrambled combat aircraft on Saturday after Russian drones penetrated NATO airspace in separate incidents, raising fears that Moscow’s war in Ukraine is edging into allied territory.
The Polish military deployed fighters and shut down Lublin airport in the east for nearly two hours, citing a “preventive” operation to protect citizens from drone strikes launched across the border in Ukraine.
 |
| Russian Drones Breach NATO Airspace. Via @Nexta |
In Romania, the defense ministry said two F-16 jets intercepted a drone that flew about ten kilometers into its territory before exiting.
Authorities stressed that the aircraft did not pass over populated areas and posed no immediate danger but announced searches for possible debris.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the Russian drone operated in Romanian skies for nearly 50 minutes, calling it clear evidence of deliberate escalation.
🔴
— Voice From The East (@EasternVoices) September 13, 2025
RUSSIA IS TESTING NATO
Poland is sending an alert to it’s civilians as a threat of a Russian air attack is imminent.
For the first time Alarms sound in East Poland as drones are being intercepted by NATO jets above Romanian and Polish airspace.
This is not an accident.… pic.twitter.com/uNpWZGNK8C
The latest incursions follow Wednesday’s violation of Polish airspace by multiple Russian drones, which NATO fighters were sent to shoot down. While Moscow claimed its drones were “jammed” and strayed accidentally, European leaders see the pattern as intentional provocation.
Zelenskyy reinforced that view, insisting Russia knows precisely where its drones fly and how long they can operate. “This cannot be a coincidence, a mistake, or the initiative of lower-level commanders,” he said. “It is an obvious expansion of the war by Russia – small steps at first, and eventually big losses.”
📍Poland | First 🇫🇷 flights within operation EASTERN SENTRY ✈️
— The 🇫🇷 Joint Staff - Military operations (@FrenchForces) September 13, 2025
🛡️ Steadfast vigilance alongside our allies pic.twitter.com/chaGquQNx2
Polish aircraft have been scrambled repeatedly this year as Russian strikes in Ukraine skirt the border, but Saturday’s measures were the most visible since the war began, with French Rafale jets also launched from a NATO base in Poland under Operation Eastern Sentry.
Military analysts warn that the risk of miscalculation is growing as drone warfare bleeds across frontiers.
Potwierdzam pic.twitter.com/8ETVYSSAY5
— Mateusz Milczanowski (@MateuszMilczan1) September 13, 2025
Zelenskyy urged allies to move from reactive deployments to preventive measures, calling for a collective defense shield against Russian drones and missiles.
He pressed again for tougher sanctions and tariffs on Russian trade, warning that waiting for “dozens of Shaheds and ballistic missiles” before acting would only embolden Moscow.