Russia-Ukraine war: NATO deploys surveillance plane to Romania to monitor Russian activity

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has raised fears among neighboring countries that the war may escalate and spill over into other territories. The NATO alliance has deployed its surveillance plane to Romania this week to monitor Russian activity.

A NATO surveillance plane arrived in Romania on Tuesday in an effort to boost the eastern flank of the alliance while also monitoring Russian activity as the war moves into its 11th month. The plane landed in Bucharest, with two more planes expected to follow on the same day and on Wednesday. The planes are expected to stay in the region for a few weeks.

“In the context of Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine, NATO will monitor military activity on the eastern flank with the help of AWACS aircraft, “ Romanian defense minister Angel Tilvar said in a post on Facebook.

This follows last week’s announcement by NATO that it would be deploying the Airborne Warning and Control System surveillance planes to Bucharest to start reconnaissance flights over NATO territory. The alliance has bolstered its presence over eastern Europe and the Baltic countries since February last year with fighter jets, surveillance planes, and tankers.

“As Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine continues to threaten peace and safety in Europe, there must be no doubt about NATO’s resolve to protect and defend every inch of Allied territory,” said NATO spokesperson Dana Lungescu in a statement on January 12 regarding the deployment.

The British defense ministry in its intelligence bulletin on Wednesday, said Ukrainian forces have likely withdrawn from the city of Soledar since Monday, leaving the area in the control of Russian forces and the Wagner mercenary group. The ministry noted that Ukrainian troops have since set up new defensive lines in the west.

The ministry said Russia’s advance into Soledar was made up of Wagner forces and served as a supporting operation that sought “the eventual envelopment of the larger settlement of Bakhmut” and that one of Ukraine’s supply routes is now under pressure.

The ministry also said that the southern and eastern parts of Bakhmut are still subject to intense bombardment as the fighting continues, with Ukrainian forces holding their positions to defend against Russian forces on the outskirts of the city.