File photo for reference only

 

Romania has reported the entry of a Russian drone into its airspace, marking the second NATO nation to experience such a breach. Romanian fighter jets were in the air monitoring Russian attacks on Ukraine when they tracked the drone near the southern border. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called it an "obvious expansion of the war by Russia," while Moscow has yet to comment.

 

The drone was detected around 20 kilometres southwest of Chilia Veche by two F-16 jets observing the border after Russian air attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure along the Danube. It disappeared from radar without crossing populated areas or posing an immediate threat, according to Romania's defence ministry. Polish authorities also reported shooting down at least three Russian drones this week, showcasing heightened tensions in the region.

 

The European Union's foreign affairs head, Kaja Kallas, condemned the incident as "an unacceptable breach of an EU member state's sovereignty." In Poland, preventive operations involving both Polish and allied aircraft commenced, with air defence systems reaching peak readiness, as per Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Russia's defence ministry claimed it had no intention to target Polish sites, while Belarus suggested the drones' entry was accidental.

 

In response, the Czech Republic has dispatched a special operations helicopter unit to Poland. This includes three Mi-171S helicopters, each capable of transporting up to 24 personnel, addressing the tensions on NATO's eastern flank, as described by Czech Defence Minister Jana Cernochova. Zelensky reiterated calls for Western nations to impose stricter sanctions on Russia to curb its military actions.

 

US President Donald Trump expressed readiness to heighten sanctions on Russia, conditional upon NATO countries reducing their reliance on Russian oil. Meanwhile, Russia's conflict in Ukraine, initiated in February 2022, continues with escalating attacks recently following President Putin’s return from talks with Trump in Alaska.

 

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Romanian airspace breach marks the second NATO country affected by Russian drones.
• The European Union and Poland have responded with strong security measures.
• US President Donald Trump has indicated a conditional stance on imposing new sanctions.

 

Related Story:

 

Putin Provokes the West - Poland PM Warns of War Risk

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-09-15

 

 

Looks like Putin is pushing it he knows if push comes to shove trump will taco 🌮 

Well looks like the felon has issued a (strong) response….he say if Europe ceases to buy Russian oil he (may impose sanctions on Russia) now just what kind of signal do you think he’s sending to putin and XI……that’s as weak as a new born kitten…..

13 minutes ago, Tug said:

just what kind of signal do you think he’s sending to putin and XI

 

Perhaps he is merely pointing out the EU hypocrisy.

Who shot the drone?

Same as in Poland. Putin is testing NATO's reactions.

There are Polish reports that the drones were just decoys to attract Ukraine fire. No explosives on them.

1 hour ago, GreasyFingers said:

There are Polish reports that the drones were just decoys to attract Ukraine fire. No explosives on them.

I’ve read many theories on the aim of the Russian drones over Poland, including;

1)A warning to those that continue to support Ukraine;

2)To sow fear amongst the European countries that the war could expand. Making them more likely to put pressure on 3)Ukraine to negotiate a peace deal;

4)To test reaction times and effectiveness of NATO defences;

Or in Donald Trumps case he suggested it was a mistake.

On 9/15/2025 at 10:04 AM, johng said:

Perhaps he is merely pointing out the EU hypocrisy.

No, even Trump’s smart enough to realise there’s no way Hungary and Turkey are going to stop buying Russian oil, especially as the leader of Hungary is one of Putin’s best mates. Just gives Trump an excuse for not imposing harsher sanctions on Russia. 

It is not just Hungary and Turkey buying Russian energy..it is the EU apparently EU spent more on Russian oil than it did in aid to Ukraine amazing ehh ?

 

The sanctions have proved  ineffective so far Russia has just adapted and moved closer to  trading with less hostile countries  and accelerated  BRICS development.

Quite right, Germany is still buying Russian energy.

4 hours ago, GreasyFingers said:

There are Polish reports that the drones were just decoys to attract Ukraine fire. No explosives on them.

Yes decoy's Russia has offered to send a delegation to Poland to try and get to the bottom of the issue  as they say they don't know how the drones entered Polish airspace   I suspect  this incursion is similar...perhaps the drones were jammed like  Ursula von der Leyen's airplane was jammed while en route on  to Bulgaria ?

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eu-says-von-der-leyens-plane-gps-system-was-jammed-russian-interference-2025-09-01/

 

ohh those Russians !!!

6 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

Germany is still buying Russian energy.

 

Despite "someone" blowing up the Nordstream pipeline

those dastardly Russians trying to stop Germany/EU from access to cheap and plentiful energy 😋

58 minutes ago, johng said:

It is not just Hungary and Turkey buying Russian energy..it is the EU apparently EU spent more on Russian oil than it did in aid to Ukraine amazing ehh ?

Trump’s implying that he won’t increase sanctions until the EU as a whole stops buying Russian oil, ie until every EU member country stops buying Russian oil or gas. Germany might be persuaded not to, but never Hungary, at least under its current government, which gives Trump a perfect excuse for not implementing harsher sanctions. 

1 hour ago, johng said:

It is not just Hungary and Turkey buying Russian energy..it is the EU apparently EU spent more on Russian oil than it did in aid to Ukraine amazing ehh ?

 

The sanctions have proved  ineffective so far Russia has just adapted and moved closer to  trading with less hostile countries  and accelerated  BRICS development.

But Trump's pal (Orban) is the main importer followed by Slovakia (led by another Trump's pal).

 

https://energyandcleanair.org/august-2025-monthly-analysis-of-russian-fossil-fuel-exports-and-sanctions/

 

Note: a significant share of imports by the three other countries is re-exported to other countries  and in particular Germany.

22 minutes ago, CygnusX1 said:

Trump’s implying that he won’t increase sanctions until the EU as a whole stops buying Russian oil, ie until every EU member country stops buying Russian oil or gas. Germany might be persuaded not to, but never Hungary, at least under its current government, which gives Trump a perfect excuse for not implementing harsher sanctions. 

It's obvious that his pro-Russia pals in Hungary and Slovakia will not stop importing Russian energy, and will certainly not be directly targeted by Trump.

15 minutes ago, CygnusX1 said:

which gives Trump a perfect excuse for not implementing harsher sanctions. 

Exactly,harsher sanctions just hurt anyone but Putin..he is already sanctioned and found workarounds for them all.

Germany has been "persuaded" by the Nordstream pipeline sabotage..no cheap natural gas for you.

All these punitive measures just  push  even more countries towards a coalition of not US/EU/NATO domination.

15 minutes ago, candide said:

But Trump's pal (Orban) is the main importer followed by Slovakia (led by another Trump's pal).

 

https://energyandcleanair.org/august-2025-monthly-analysis-of-russian-fossil-fuel-exports-and-sanctions/

 

Note: a significant share of imports by the three other countries is re-exported to other countries  and in particular Germany.

Oh the nasty little thumb down. How do I dare to post facts? 

12 minutes ago, johng said:

Exactly,harsher sanctions just hurt anyone but Putin..he is already sanctioned and found workarounds for them all.

Germany has been "persuaded" by the Nordstream pipeline sabotage..no cheap natural gas for you.

All these punitive measures just  push  even more countries towards a coalition of not US/EU/NATO domination.

B.S., as usual! The decision by Germany to stop pipeline imports was made after the invasion of Ukraine, months before the sabotage in September 2022! 

2 hours ago, Cameroni said:

Quite right, Germany is still buying Russian energy.

As others; Italy, Czech, France, Hungary, Slovenia (Melania), Spain

3 hours ago, CygnusX1 said:

gives Trump an excuse for not imposing harsher sanctions on Russia. 

Well, seems as if 2 buddies stay to each other: 2 powerful leaders of the world. 2 dictators in chief. One a cold blooded strategist, the other a humpty dumpty fool.

2 hours ago, johng said:

Exactly,harsher sanctions just hurt anyone but Putin..he is already sanctioned and found workarounds for them all.

Germany has been "persuaded" by the Nordstream pipeline sabotage..no cheap natural gas for you.

All these punitive measures just  push  even more countries towards a coalition of not US/EU/NATO domination.

 

So on the one hand, you criticise the EU - with some justification - for buying Russian energy which brings money into Russia's coffers, but on the other you reject harsher sanctions which would take money away as being ineffective. 

 

I'll pre-empt a response that Putin would find a workaround by suggesting that the more sanctions that are imposed, the harder it is to find buyers and work-arounds.

Deary me. The navigational systems on these drones really does leave a lot to be desired.

 

Russia really does need to take more care when buying/ manufacturing its' drones.

 

I hope that President Putin has had a very stern word with the people responsible. 

23 minutes ago, RayC said:

I'll pre-empt a response that Putin would find a workaround by suggesting that the more sanctions that are imposed, the harder it is to find buyers and work-arounds.

 

If you can get the "global south"  (BRICS and Co) onboard with your harsher sanctions then Russia will have a harder time..but I think as they are the largest country in the world  and have pretty much everything they need to carry on even if the "whole rest of the world" sanctions then it still wont work..yes it will hurt them   but it will also hurt many other countries that use Russian resources..they wont be happy  with whoever stops the flow...unless of course there is some more endless dollars to be printed to placate them for a short while but eventually the paper (petro Dollar) isn't worth anything

(how many trillions in debt now) what will matter is what Russia can provide physical assets.

 

4 hours ago, Cameroni said:

Quite right, Germany is still buying Russian energy.

 

Yeah they made the "right" decision to shut down all their nuclear reactors and go "green"  !!!!  55555 
🤣

43 minutes ago, johng said:

 

If you can get the "global south"  (BRICS and Co) onboard with your harsher sanctions then Russia will have a harder time..but I think as they are the largest country in the world  and have pretty much everything they need to carry on even if the "whole rest of the world" sanctions then it still wont work..yes it will hurt them   but it will also hurt many other countries that use Russian resources..they wont be happy  with whoever stops the flow...unless of course there is some more endless dollars to be printed to placate them for a short while but eventually the paper (petro Dollar) isn't worth anything

(how many trillions in debt now) what will matter is what Russia can provide physical assets.

 

 

Getting the "global south" to support sanctions would obviously greatly help - and might prove to be a game changer -  but to suggest that the West adopting - and more importantly, implementing - harsher sanctions would be ineffective is imo incorrect.

 

Germany, for example, exports +/-$5bn of products to Russia, mainly pharmaceutical products ($2.52 billion), machinery ($960.44 million), and medical apparatus ($839.36 million). Generic pharmaceuticals might, perhaps, be readily sourced from elsewhere but specialist machinery would probably be less easily available.

 

The West would also, no doubt, suffer by applying harsher sanctions, but if pressure is to be applied to Russia then imo it will be a price worth paying.

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2 minutes ago, RayC said:

it will be a price worth paying.

 To the last Ukrainian  perhaps ?

 

Not in my opinion   I'd rather have free trade, cheap electricity, gas, petrol,oil  and a job that's not involved with killing someone else because some politician says so.

Plus its virtually impossible  that BRICS /global south will stop trade with Russia they have seen and are totally fed up with the bully boy tactics.

 

 

13 minutes ago, johng said:

 To the last Ukrainian  perhaps ? Not in my opinion

 

I think that is a decision for the Ukrainian people to make.

 

13 minutes ago, johng said:

 I'd rather have free trade, cheap electricity, gas, petrol,oil  and a job that's not involved with killing someone else because some politician says so.

 

I agree and if Russia had allowed an independent, sovereign Ukraine to pursue its' desire for a free-trade arrangement with - and ultimately membership of - the EU the world would have moved in that direction. 

 

Sadly Putin did not share our goal.

 

13 minutes ago, johng said:

Plus its virtually impossible  that BRICS /global south will stop trade with Russia they have seen and are totally fed up with the bully boy tactics.

 

 

Much as I would like to see it occur, I don't expect BRICS/ global south to cease trading with Russia. However, in the short - and probably, medium - term, Russia will struggle to do the volume of trade with them that it does with the EU and US.

7 hours ago, CygnusX1 said:

No, even Trump’s smart enough to realise there’s no way Hungary and Turkey are going to stop buying Russian oil, especially as the leader of Hungary is one of Putin’s best mates. Just gives Trump an excuse for not imposing harsher sanctions on Russia. 

Erdogan of Turkey is another of Trump's pals