Countries on the eastern side of the military alliance, whose defense ministers met in Bucharest on Wednesday, have repeatedly expressed that Russia’s activities in the Black Sea region and beyond are a major source of concern.
Earlier this month, NATO members Romania and Latvia reported Russian drones crashing after violating their airspace, prompting official calls for coordinated action to counter Russia’s aerial incursions.
Last week, Ukraine accused Russia of using strategic bombers to target a civilian grain ship in a missile attack in the Black Sea waters near Romania, further escalating tensions between Moscow and the military alliance.
“The B9 States (countries on NATO’s eastern flank) are deeply concerned about repeated Russian drone and missile incursions into NATO airspace, in Poland, Romania, and Latvia, as well as the escalation of tensions along NATO’s eastern flank,” said Romanian Defense Minister Angel Tilvar to reporters.
“This is why a robust and coordinated response at the allied level is needed, as well as the rapid deployment of rotating air defense and the integrated missile defense model.”
Polish Deputy Defense Minister Pawel Zalewski stated that the upcoming NATO Defense Ministers meeting in October will need to address the destruction of drones that violate allied airspace.
“We have confirmed hybrid attacks against allies, as well as Belarus’s involvement in Russia’s actions,” Zalewski added.
Romania shares a 650 km border with Ukraine, and last year, fragments of Russian drones frequently entered its territory. The country is also close to Ukraine’s Danube River ports, which are often targeted by Russian strikes.
