Translated by Chiara Lamedica
Romania and Latvia: When Russian Drones Test NATO and the European Union
The incident involving a Russian drone that crashed into a residential building in Galați, Romania, marks a new level of concern for the security of NATO’s eastern flank. The aircraft, launched as part of Russian attacks against Ukraine, crossed Romanian airspace before striking the roof of an apartment building, causing a fire and injuring two people. This is no longer merely a matter of debris being found in remote areas: this time, the consequences directly affected a populated area within a member state of the Atlantic Alliance.
The Romanian case fits into a broader pattern. Since the beginning of the war, several Eastern European countries have had to deal with drones, debris, or airspace violations linked to Russian attacks on Ukraine. Latvia offers another significant example: the handling of drones suspected to have originated from Ukraine, likely diverted by Russian electronic warfare systems, helped fuel a domestic political crisis, leading to the collapse of the previous government and the formation of a new administration led by Andris Kulbergs.
These incidents demonstrate that the war in Ukraine does not remain confined to Ukrainian territory. Even when there is no clear intention to target a NATO member state directly, the widespread use of drones, missiles, and electronic warfare tools increases the risk of accidents, misattribution, and political pressure on European governments. The threat is not only military but also institutional: it tests states’ ability to protect their citizens, communicate clearly, and maintain domestic support for policies backing Kyiv.
For NATO, the central issue therefore becomes the anti-drone defense of its eastern flank. Romania, Latvia, and other exposed countries are seeking not only political reassurances but also concrete capabilities: radar systems, interception technologies, rapid-response mechanisms, and enhanced coordination among allies. Otherwise, seemingly limited incidents could produce far-reaching strategic effects, fueling insecurity, domestic polarization, and pressure on Euro-Atlantic policy choices. The drone war is thus transforming Europe’s eastern border into a zone of permanent vulnerability.
Luca Baldazzi
Moscow’s Strategy: Threats Against Kyiv and Intimidation of Foreign Diplomats
A few days after carrying out one of the largest operations against the Ukrainian capital since the beginning of the war, Moscow threatened to launch a new wave of “systematic attacks” on Kyiv. Since the brief ceasefire that coincided with the annual Victory Day parade on May 9 expired, the Kremlin has launched several waves of missile and drone attacks against Ukraine’s capital.
According to official statements, the new offensive will target “decision-making centers and command posts,” as well as drone production facilities within the city, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in a press release. Moscow subsequently urged foreign citizens and diplomats to leave Kyiv “as soon as possible” and warned civilians to stay away from administrative and military buildings. Ukraine described Russia’s threats as “nothing more than blatant blackmail” and called on its allies to increase pressure on Moscow. By issuing this warning to foreigners, the Kremlin “effectively admits that its bombardments are aimed, among other things, at intimidating the foreign diplomatic corps,” the statement continued. According to Ukrainian officials, Russian attacks on Kyiv “have hardly stopped for a single week” since the start of the war, and the security threat posed by Moscow “remains the same as in previous years and months.”
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also urged U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to evacuate American diplomats from Kyiv. “The United States is ready and prepared to do everything possible to help bring this war to an end, and we hope the opportunity will arise sooner rather than later,” Rubio replied. Many observers, however, interpret Russia’s warning to foreign citizens to leave the Ukrainian capital as a form of psychological pressure.
On May 28, meanwhile, news emerged of an Italian contractor killed on the battlefield in Ukraine. His death was announced by Memorial – International Volunteers for Ukraine. Originally from La Spezia, Alex Pineschi, 42, had volunteered to defend Ukraine following Russia’s 2022 invasion. He was reportedly killed by FPV (First Person View) drones in the Lyman area of the Donbas. A former Alpine soldier and a well-known figure in private security circles, Pineschi had also fought against ISIS in northern Iraq. He had previously worked as a contractor in other conflict zones, including Syria and Kurdistan.
Giuliana Cătălina Băruș
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