More Russian UAS go astray while attacking Ukraine
A Shahed-136 drone, the kind understood to have recently flown astray in Belarus. (Photo: Tasnim News Agency, CC BY 4.0)
This time, the UAS flew into NATO airspace, though there is no evidence that they did so deliberately.
Russian UAS that were attacking Ukraine by night invaded the airspace of two NATO countries.
One is reported to have flown into Romanian airspace during its attacks on civilian targets and port infrastructure in Ukraine, according to the Romanian defence ministry. The other landed near the Latvian town of Rezekne, and was explained by Latvian defence minister Andris Sprūds as having “likely strayed into Latvia from neighbouring Belarus.”
Romania scrambled F-16 aircraft in response to the incursion into its airspace, in an echo of an action taken by the Russian-allied Belarus recently when Iranian-supplied Russian Shahed “kamikaze” or “suicide” drones went astray in its airspace, rather than following their permitted flightpaths into Ukraine.
Related Articles
Belarus fighter jet shoots down Russian drone
Meanwhile within Ukraine, the defending air force shot down six out of eight drones Russia launched into their territory in the space of one night, along with three missiles.
The question of a wider NATO response beyond the immediate domestic launching of F-16s in Romania’s case comes down to the perceived intent of the drones. As there is doubt that the incursions were deliberate infringements of the countries’ airspace, there is insufficient evidence to provoke a co-ordinated NATO response.
The outgoing deputy secretary general of NATO, Mircea Geoană, a former diplomat in the Romanian service, acknowledged the political reality of the situation, but did not refrain from criticising Russia.
“While we have no information indicating an intentional attack by Russia against allies, these acts are irresponsible and potentially dangerous”, he said.
Latvian military spokespeople concurred that there was insufficient evidence to conclude that the drones were sent into the country’s airspace deliberately.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments]()
AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments
Quantum-Systems has been upgrading its UAS family, with new versions of the Vector, Reliant and Twister drones set for release throughout 2025.
-
![US Army accelerates acquisition and field of company-level sUAS]()
US Army accelerates acquisition and field of company-level sUAS
The service has been using a Directed Requirement (DR) approach to speed up the deployment of a Medium Range Reconnaissance capability.
-
![AeroVironment to display eVTOL P550 at AUSA 2024]()
AeroVironment to display eVTOL P550 at AUSA 2024
AeroVironment’s portfolio will grow thanks to the eVTOL P550 aimed at battalion-level tactical forces.
-
![Australia’s air force aims its UAV fleet northwards]()
Australia’s air force aims its UAV fleet northwards
The Royal Australian Air Force is advancing its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities across three key programmes as it works with the likes of Boeing and Northrop Grumman to reshape Australia’s defence strategy.
-
![FTUAS competitor trials were “very successful”, says US Army official]()
FTUAS competitor trials were “very successful”, says US Army official
Prototypes from Griffon Aerospace and Textron Systems recently passed through MOSA conformance trials and flight tests.
-
![Pentagon adds Replicator 2 to budget request with focus on C-sUAS capabilities]()
Pentagon adds Replicator 2 to budget request with focus on C-sUAS capabilities
Funds for the second phase of this effort will be allocated in the US Department of Defense (DoD) FY2026 budget request.
