NATO member Romania and neighboring Moldova reported serious airspace violations as Russian drones operating over Ukraine strayed into their territory, triggering emergency military responses and civilian evacuations.
Emergency Military Scramble in Romania
Romanian defense forces activated Eurofighter Typhoon and later F-16 fighter jets after multiple drones entered their airspace from Ukraine. The incidents occurred in the eastern counties of Tulcea and Galati, which border Ukraine's Odesa region where intense Russian strikes were underway.
The rapid military response highlights growing concerns among NATO members about spillover effects from the conflict in Ukraine. Romanian authorities confirmed their air force remains on high alert following repeated airspace violations since Russia's full-scale invasion began in 2022.
Moldova Evacuates Village After Drone Impact
Across the border in Moldova, authorities took emergency measures when drone fragments crashed into a residential home in Floresti district. The incident forced the evacuation of an entire village as police explosive disposal units secured the impact site.
Moldovan officials expressed alarm at the direct impact on civilian areas. The country's proximity to Ukraine has made it particularly vulnerable to cross-border incidents despite its neutral status in the conflict.
Escalating Regional Tensions
Defense officials from both countries warned of increasing spillover risks from the war in Ukraine. Each new cross-border drone incident has contributed to rising regional tensions, testing the security preparedness of Ukraine's western neighbors.
The November 25, 2025 incidents mark the latest in a series of airspace violations that have occurred since 2022. Both Romania and Moldova have experienced multiple such events, though direct impacts on residential areas remain relatively rare.
Security analysts note that the pattern of incidents demonstrates how military operations in Ukraine increasingly affect neighboring countries, raising questions about air defense capabilities and border security throughout Eastern Europe.
