Romania scrambled two F-16 fighter jets on Saturday after detecting a Russian drone breaching its airspace during strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure near the border, the second such NATO incursion this week following Poland's reports.

The Romanian Defence Ministry states the drone was tracked 20 km southwest of Chilia Veche village before disappearing from radar, posing no immediate threat to populated areas.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy describes the 50-minute incursion, penetrating 10 km into Romanian territory, as an “obvious expansion of the war by Russia,” urging tougher sanctions. “The Russian military knows exactly where their drones are headed and how long they can operate in the air,” Zelenskyy says, noting similar activity in Ukraine’s northern regions and possible Belarusian airspace involvement.

Poland deployed aircraft and helicopters Saturday in response to Russian drones near its border, with Prime Minister Donald Tusk placing ground-based air defenses on high alert. Earlier this week, Poland shot down several drones, the first NATO instance of firing on war-linked objects.

Russian Defence Ministry claims no plans targeted Poland, while Belarus attributes Wednesday’s breach to jammed navigation. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte calls the actions “dangerous and unacceptable,” announcing the “Eastern Sentry” initiative with F-16s, Rafales, Eurofighters, and a Danish frigate to bolster eastern defenses.