Romania is Creating the Largest NATO Military Airbase in Europe - Media.

In eastern Romania, work continues to transform a Soviet-era airfield into the largest NATO military base in Europe. The Romanian airbase "Mihail Kogălniceanu", located just 97 km from the border with Ukraine, is expanding, and this has become a reason for condemnation from Russia, notes The Times newspaper.

Russian deputy Andrey Klimov stated that the closer the base is to the Russian borders, the higher the likelihood of it being hit by Russian strikes.

Romania is strengthening its defense in accordance with Russia's hostile actions. Recently, fragments of three drones were found on Romanian territory, prompting NATO to increase patrols along the border.

When the issue of creating a NATO base near Crimea was considered 10 years ago, it caused some concern. Ben Hodges, a retired American general who was an advocate of such a project at the Time, says that countries most affecting Russia understand what is at stake. He believes that the decision to strengthen the base is a statement of independence from Russia.

The Largest NATO Base in Europe

The "Mihail Kogălniceanu" airbase in eastern Romania will surpass the "Ramstein" base in Germany and become the largest NATO base in Europe, twice the size of the German garrison. It already serves as the headquarters for NATO air patrol missions over the Black Sea.

Two American B-52 planes capable of carrying nuclear weapons arrived at the base last month.

The "Mihail Kogălniceanu" airbase began transforming into a NATO fortress following the Russian invasions of Georgia in 2008 and Crimea in 2014. The source notes that this project has gained even more significance after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Source: ZN.UA