Exploding Drones Are New Reality For NATO

Exploding drones pose a new reality for NATO as the Ukraine war continues to spread to NATO states. Romania scrambled two F-18 aircraft at 2.23 a.m. Thursday after detecting drones north of Tulcea county near the Ukrainian border. The incident emphasizes the risk of the war spilling over into NATO territories. Russia is largely blamed for the spate of incursions, including Ukrainian drones that have been driven off course through electronic jamming by Moscow.

Romania has faced 50 cases of drones or drone fragments on its territory since the war began in February 2022. On May 29, a Russian drone crashed into an apartment building in Galați, injuring two individuals. In Latvia, a drone crashed into Lake Drīdzis on May 23 and detonated upon contact with the water. Two suspected stray drones crossed into Latvia from Russia on May 7, one of which exploded at an oil storage facility in Rēzekne region.

Lithuania reported a Ukrainian drone crash near Lake Lavysas on March 23, likely veering off course during an attack on the Russian oil terminal in Primorsk. Finland also reported two drones falling near Kouvola on March 29. The U.S. is leading NATO's air exercise this week, which includes combat strikes, refueling, air surveillance, and electronic warfare.

Colonel Martin O’Donnell stated that the drills are aimed at preparing for the threat posed by Russia, with the U.S. warning that Putin could stage a limited incursion into an alliance member to test the resolve of its mutual defense Article 5 clause.