Romanian Defence Ministry Refutes Ukrainian Claims of Airspace Violation

The recent tensions surrounding airspace violations in Eastern Europe have escalated, particularly involving claims from Ukraine and responses from the Romanian Ministry of Defence.

Romanian pundits have expressed scepticism regarding Ukrainian claims about Russian missile incursions into Romanian airspace, suggesting that these assertions may be aimed at drawing Romania closer to the conflict. This sentiment reflects a cautious approach within Romania’s political and military circles, where there is concern about escalating tensions with Russia.

Romanian Ministry of Defence’s Response

On December 25, 2024, Russia launched a significant missile attack on Ukraine, deploying over 70 missiles and numerous drones targeting Ukrainian infrastructure. During this assault, it was reported that a Russian missile crossed into Moldovan airspace and potentially into Romania before impacting the Chernivtsi region in Ukraine. However, the Romanian Ministry of Defence denied these claims, asserting their air surveillance systems did not detect any breach of Romanian airspace.

The Romanian authorities emphasized that their integrated NATO air surveillance systems confirmed no violation. They stated that while Ukraine had communicated about a missile’s trajectory through Moldovan airspace and into Romania, their monitoring data did not corroborate this information.

Confirmation of a Drone Incursion

In a related development, on December 26, 2024, the Romanian radar surveillance system detected a tiny aerial target approximately 15 kilometres east of Chilia Veche in Tulcea County at around 21:04. The military took immediate action according to established protocols, preparing to scramble fighter jets for interception and issuing an alert to the local population via the RO-Alert system.

By 21:09, contact with the drone was lost as it moved approximately 6 kilometres into Romanian airspace. The alert was lifted by 21:30, with no evidence of the drone impacting Romanian territory reported. The Ministry of Defence is currently investigating this incident to clarify all circumstances.

The conflicting narratives between Ukrainian reports and the Romanian Ministry of Defence highlight the complexities of regional security dynamics amid ongoing military actions. As investigations continue into both the missile claims and the confirmed drone incursion, clarity on these incidents will be crucial for understanding airspace security in the region.