Putin gave 'green light' for invasion of NATO - what is known

ISW analysts report that Russian drones during attacks on Ukraine are increasingly entering the airspace of Moldova and Romania, a NATO member. Experts believe this may not be accidental but a deliberate move by Moscow aimed at gradually normalizing violations of allies' borders.

Analysts at the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in a new report point to a troubling trend: Russian attack drones during massive strikes on Ukraine are increasingly entering the airspace of Moldova and Romania, a NATO member state. Experts believe this may not be accidental but a deliberate move by Moscow. It is noted that Russian military have the technical capability to adjust routes to avoid approaching the borders of neighboring states, yet they do not do so. Examples cited include a recent Shahed-136 drone flying over Moldovan territory and the destruction of a naval drone by a Romanian F-16 fighter near the 'Neptune Deep' gas platform on August 20. Moldovan President Maia Sandu stated that Russia deliberately allows such violations. According to ISW's assessment, the lack of strike adjustments may indicate the Kremlin's desire to gradually make such incidents routine, increasing the risk of a direct confrontation with NATO.