Romania's interim President signed a law allowing its armed forces to shoot down drones

What we know about the complicated situation

The Acting President of Romania Ilie Bolojan has reportedly signed a new law giving the country’s armed forces the authority to shoot down unmanned aerial vehicles that enter Romanian airspace unlawfully after months of debate. 

A response to Russian airspace violations

According to the Romanian 24-hour news channel Digi24, which was cited by Ukrainska Pravda, Bolojan signed a law passed by the Romanian parliament months ago as a way to defend against recent incursions into Romanian airspace. 

Passed by the Romania parliament in February 2025

On February 26th, the Romanian parliament passed a new law that would allow its armed forces to shoot down any unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that breached its airspace, which many interpreted as a response to many instances of Russian drones unlawfully violating the country's airspace during attacks on targets in Ukraine. 

Crashed Russian drones

Several Russian attack drones have also crashed on Romanian territory in recent years but little has been done to counter the threat. However, that was set to change following the new Romanian anti-Russian drone law, though the situation was complicated by domestic politics. 

Strengthening defense

"We are strengthening Romania's defense!" the interim Senate Chair Abrudean Mircea wrote in a Facebook post announcing the new law according to The Kyiv Independent.

What the law allows

According to Romania Journal, the new law stated an aircraft without a pilot could be destroyed, neutralized, or taken over without authorization if it enters national airspace.   

The law only applied to drones

The law was written to only apply to aircraft flying without a pilot that illegally crossed the state border and made their way into Romanian national airspace. 

Who makes the call on shooting down a drone?

Romania Journal noted that it had yet to be decided at the time which officials would be given the right to make decisions about whether or not an illegal drone would be shot down. 

Comments from a general

“Usually, in such situations, it is about the commanders who are on a mission in the respective area,” explained General Virgil Bălăceanu, a former Romanian commander. 

Commanders should have the right

“They should have the right to order fire on drones that enter Romania’s airspace without authorization,” General Bălăceanu continued before adding that the situation was complicated and required speed. 

The right laws and tech were needed

Bălăceanu pointed out that an adequate legislative framework was needed to combat the threat posed by drones, but also that there must be a means by which drones can be combated. 

A short chain of command

Moreover, even with the right technology to shoot down any drones, a short chain of command was required according to Bălăceanu so that orders could be given according to the law and in a brief period of time. 

The law was waiting on the president's signature

On February 27th, Business Insider reported that the interim Romanian President Ilie Bolojan had yet to sign the new drone legislation into law after it was passed by the parliament. The legisaltion would encounter a major problem before Bolojan could sign the law.  

Extremists tried to challenge the law

Following the February 26th passing of Romania’s new drone law, three extremist Romanian political parties filed an appeal with the country’s Constitutional Court to prevent the law from being promulgated according to Euroctiv. 

The appeal was eventually defeated

However, in late March, Romania’s Constitutional Court approved the new law, which cleared the way for the Romanians to shoot down any unmanned aerial vehicle that breached their airspace, DPA International reported.