NATO allies bolster eastern flank air defenses after Russian drone strikes Romania
NATO allies are reinforcing air defense systems along the alliance's eastern flank after a Russian-made Geran-2 drone crashed into a residential building in Galați, Romania, on May 29, injuring two civilians. Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu said on June 3 that France, Britain, Italy, Spain, and the US have signaled contributions including additional aircraft, radar coverage, and surveillance capabilities. The incident was the first Russian drone incursion to cause casualties inside Romania, with over 40 such incursions recorded since Russia began attacking Ukrainian ports across the Danube.
NATO allies are reinforcing air defense systems along the alliance's eastern flank after a Russian-made Geran-2 drone crashed into a residential building in Galați, Romania, on May 29, injuring two civilians, Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu said during a visit to Paris on June 3.
Romanian President Nicușor Dan confirmed on May 31, after a technical investigation, that the drone was a Russian-made Geran-2. The incident marked the first Russian drone incursion to cause casualties inside Romania. Toiu said there have been more than 40 such incursions into Romanian airspace since Russia began attacking Ukrainian ports across the Danube. Romania's border with Ukraine is 650 kilometers long.
Toiu said France, Britain, Italy, Spain, and the United States have signaled contributions including additional aircraft, radar coverage, and surveillance capabilities. France, which leads NATO's battlegroup in Romania with about 1,400 troops, is in discussions over further support on radar and air monitoring systems. Britain, Italy, and Spain have signaled willingness to step up contributions to air defense operations, Toiu said. The US could provide specialized radar and surveillance capabilities rather than large-scale troop deployments.
"There is a common understanding that we need to have better air defense of the eastern flank, and not just Romania," Toiu said, adding that the conversation extends to the Baltic states and all countries on NATO's eastern flank.
Romania presented NATO with a detailed list of defense needs before the drone incident, Toiu said, describing the allied reinforcements as a temporary bridge while Bucharest pursues a broader upgrade of its own systems. The country has allocated around two billion euros for air defense and monitoring modernization in the coming years, but will "need to rely on allied support to cover the gaps" in the interim, she said.
Toiu said Bucharest has no evidence the drone's entry into Romanian airspace was intentional, but holds Russia fully responsible. Romania is also working on private-sector anti-drone projects and a 200 million euro plan with Ukraine to build a facility producing systems to counter low-cost aerial threats.