Romania allows shooting down drones and conducting military operations in peacetime

The Romanian Senate has passed two laws granting the armed forces the right to shoot down air targets and conduct military operations without declaring a state of emergency.

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The bill on airspace control was voted in favour by 78 senators, 11 were against, and 2 abstained. The law authorising military operations in peacetime was supported by 80 senators, 12 were against, and 2 abstained.

The Romanian Ministry of Defence initiated these changes due to the lack of legal mechanisms for the use of the armed forces in crisis situations. Previously, the Romanian army could not shoot down drones or missiles without declaring a state of emergency.

Now, the Romanian military will be able to destroy drones that violate the country's airspace (primarily Russian drones). In addition, NATO forces will be able to participate in the defence of Romanian skies in accordance with collective defence agreements.

At the end of December, a Russian cruise missile flew 140 km in the airspace of Moldova and Romania during the attack on Ukraine. Russian Shahed kamikaze drones were also repeatedly spotted flying overhead, and their wreckage was found on Romanian territory.

Source: "Radio Liberty