A law has come into effect in Romania that allows its armed forces to down unmanned aerial vehicles unlawfully breaching its airspace, as the NATO member acts to tackle a growing number of Russian drones landing on its shores.
Ilie Bolojan, Romania’s acting president, signed the law, which the Romanian parliament passed in February in response to the threat posed by the devices landing in its territory, often in spillover incidents from the war in Ukraine.
Newsweek has contacted the Romanian Foreign Ministry for comment.
Why It Matters
Romania shares a 380-mile border with Ukraine, and because of its proximity to the war zone, it has seen drones repeatedly land in its territory, although there is no evidence that Moscow has deliberately targeted the country.
Romania’s new law allows it to shoot down such drones and could lead other neighboring NATO countries to follow suit, with the potential for escalation and increased questions over the alliance’s Article 5 mutual defense clause.
What To Know
The law to shoot down drones violating Romanian airspace was initially drafted in October following a spate of Russian drones landing in the NATO member. Their target had been southern Ukraine’s Odesa Oblast.
The incidents prompted legislation that the Romanian parliament passed on February 26. Far-right parties challenged the law but lost the case.
On Monday, Bolojan signed the legislation, which stipulates that any aircraft without a pilot that illegally crosses the border and flies in Romania’s national airspace without authorization may be destroyed or neutralized.
He also signed a law on the peaceful conduct of military missions and operations on Romanian territory.
Romania must establish the aircraft’s position and identity, attempt contact, intercept and fire warning shots. Piloted vehicles can only be destroyed if they conduct an attack or respond aggressively to interception, the law states.
Roger Hilton, a research fellow at the GLOBSEC think tank in Slovakia, told Newsweek in February that Romania’s move was a significant but measured escalation by a NATO member to Russian drones strafing its border.
He said that while there might be the risk of escalation, Bucharest was left with little alternative as it issued a signal to Moscow and NATO that it would not tolerate unchecked airspace violations.
What People Are Saying
Roger Hilton, a research fellow at GLOBSEC, said: “Romania’s decision to approve neutralizing drones encroaching its airspace marks a significant but measured escalation by a NATO ally.”
What Happens Next
In March, Romania confirmed another case of a Russian drone crashing in its territory, in the border area near the Ukrainian settlement of Reni.
Romania has a new president following elections on Sunday, and there is anticipation over how the NATO country will react if another drone breaches its airspace or whether Russia will be more careful.
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