Romania requests coordinated NATO response to Russian drones and missiles entering its airspace

Romanian Defence Minister Angel Tîlvăr says the countries of the Bucharest Nine (B9) “are deeply concerned” by numerous instances of Russian drones and missiles entering the Alliance’s airspace and a “decisive” response from NATO is required.

Source: European Pravda, citing Romanian media outlet Digi24

Details: Tîlvăr made this statement at a press conference on 18 September following a meeting of the B9 defence ministers held in Romania’s Palace of the Parliament.

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He said the B9 format “plays a key role in forming the collective approach of NATO’s eastern flank”.

Tîlvăr confirmed that the security situation in the Black Sea region remains “concerning”, referring to the “ever-changing set of threats” caused first and foremost by Russia’s aggressive actions: hybrid tactics such as disinformation, cyberattacks, and ongoing efforts to destabilise the Black Sea region and the entire eastern flank of NATO.

“The B9 countries are deeply concerned by the numerous incursions of Russian drones and missiles into NATO airspace in Poland, Romania and Latvia, and by the escalation of tension along NATO’s borders,” Tîlvăr said.

“This is why a decisive and well-coordinated decision at the Alliance level is needed, and NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence Rotational Model must be urgently implemented.”

Tîlvăr noted that coordination related to support for Ukraine was discussed at the meeting, “so that Ukrainian armed forces have the resources they need for the front line”. He also called for support for Moldova’s integration into the EU, which he said was “an investment in the security of the Black Sea region and Europe”.

Background:

• Earlier in September, a Russian attack drone was recorded as having crashed in Latvia.
• The drone, which was equipped with explosives, had reportedly flown in from the territory of Belarus.
• Following this and other Russian drone crashes in Romania, NATO has once again reopened the discussion about how it should respond to such incidents in its airspace.

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