On September 13, Russian drones intruded into the Romanian airspace, a NATO member, as Moscow targeted the Ukrainian infrastructure in the border region, in proximity to Romania. As an impact, Romania unleashed its F-16 fighter jets. Lonut Mosteanu, the Defence Minister of Romania said that the Russian drones were flying in a very low horizon and later left the sovereign airspace of the country towards Ukraine.
Romania along with two F-16 fighter jets had also deployed two Eurofighters and warned citizens to take shelter and precautions if they are residing in the southeastern county of Tulcea near Danube. Defence Minister Mosteanu also said that the Romanian helicopters are looking for the drone parts in the border region. However, as per the information available in the moment drones have exited the Romanian airspace and reached Ukraine.
Poland as well deployed its aircrafts as Russian drones came in proximity. Poland also ordered the closure of an airport in the Eastern city of Lublin on September 13, as Russian drones is said to have been surpassed the region. Both Romania and Poland are the NATO members. Romania lies to the south and southwest of Ukraine sharing a border of 581 kms, while Poland is a western neighbour for Ukraine that shares a border of 542 kms.
The latest face-off testifies the further escalation of the Russia-Ukraine war and the spill-over effect in the neighbouring regions, without a sign of de-escalation or peace efforts. On the one hand NATO resolves to increase its aid and military support to Ukraine and other NATO countries such as Poland who are in the vicinity. On the other hand, on September 14, Russia is undertaking a joint military exercise with Belarus, which is a western neighbour for the Russian mainland. Belarus also is a neighbour of Ukraine to the northern direction. During the military drill with Belarus Russia has fired a Zircon(Tsirkon) hypersonic cruise missile targeting the Barents Sea and other Sukoi Su-34 supersonic fighter bombers.
These latest developments from both the conflicting countries reflect the manifold escalation of the bottlenecks in a more than three-year old war, without any hint for peace and ceasefire negotiations.
Meanwhile in India, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has reiterated again on India’s stance in the conflict. He has called for an early cessation of hostilities and an enduring solution to the conflict in Ukraine. EAM Jaishankar held a telephonic conversation with the Foreign Minister of Poland Mr. Radoslaw Sikorski on September 11. During the conversation EAM has expressed the concerns regarding the worsening security situation in Europe and has reiterated for an early and durable resolution for the Ukraine conflict.
