Ukraine's NATO ally could shoot down Russian drones under new law

A law has come into force in Romania that allows its armed forces to shoot down unmanned aerial vehicles that illegally violate its airspace, as the NATO member moves to tackle a growing number of Russian drones landing on its shores.

Ilie Boloian, Romania's acting president, signed the law, which the Romanian parliament approved in February in response to the threat posed by devices landing on its territory, often in incidents of proliferation from the war in Ukraine, the Telegraph reports.

Romania shares a 380-mile border with Ukraine, and due to its proximity to the war zone, has seen drones repeatedly land on its territory, although there is no evidence that Moscow has deliberately targeted the country.

Romania's new law allows it to shoot down such drones and could prompt other neighboring NATO countries to follow suit, with the potential for escalation and growing questions over the alliance's Article 5 mutual defense clause.

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The law to shoot down drones that violate Romanian airspace was initially drafted in October, following a wave of Russian drones landing in the NATO member.

Their target had been Odessa in southern Ukraine. The incidents prompted legislation that the Romanian parliament passed on February 26. Far-right parties opposed the law, but lost the case.

On Monday, Bolognese signed legislation, which stipulates that any drone that illegally crosses the border and flies in Romania's national airspace without authorization can be destroyed or neutralized.

He also signed a law on the peaceful conduct of military missions and operations on Romanian territory.

Romania must determine the position and identity of the aircraft, attempt to contact, intercept and fire warning shots.

Unmanned vehicles can only be destroyed if they carry out an attack or react aggressively to interception, the law says. /Telegraph