Romania scrambles F-16 jets, shoots down suspected Russian drone in third such incident in 3 days
Romania has shot down a suspected Russian drone that entered its airspace over the Black Sea, the third such incident in as many days and new worries about the spillover of Russia’s war in Ukraine into NATO territory. The latest interception led Romanian authorities to scramble F-16 fighter jets and strongly denounce repeated violations of the country’s sovereignty.
The Romanian Defence Ministry said the drone was identified by radar on Sunday morning, before two Romanian Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons, operating under NATO command, were sent from the Fetești Air Base. One of the fighter jets intercepted and shot down the drone above Romania’s territorial seas in the Sulina–Chilia area of the Black Sea, without any risk to civilians.
President Nicuşor Dan confirmed the operation, calling the frequent incursions “inadmissible and intolerable”. He also said that every violation of Romanian airspace is a violation of NATO and European Union territory, and that the government will continue to take all necessary actions to protect the country’s borders and residents.
The current incident comes after two similar drone seizures on Friday and Saturday, meaning Romanian military have been called upon to respond to suspected Russian drones crossing into their airspace for the third day in a row. Investigators already confirmed that at least one of the previously downed drones was a Shahed-type unmanned aircraft, the model extensively utilised by Russian forces in strikes against Ukraine. Forensic tests are being done to determine where the drone used Sunday originated.
Romania, which has a 650-kilometre border with Ukraine, has seen scores of drone incursions since Russia ratcheted up raids on Ukrainian ports along the Danube River. Romanian police had tracked and monitored such aircraft until last week, but normally refrained from shooting them down unless they posed a direct threat to populated areas. The latest regulation change is an indication of an increasing worry over the number of such airspace incursions.
Romania’s Foreign Ministry summoned Russia’s ambassador after the latest incident and lodged a formal diplomatic protest. Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan termed the repeated incursions “unacceptable”, while Defence Minister Radu Miruță reiterated that Romania will continue to defend its sovereignty and meet its commitments as a NATO member.
NATO officials have also commented on the rising tensions. Alliance spokesman Colonel Martin O’Donnell said the alliance is working closely with Romanian authorities and monitoring developments along NATO’s eastern border. The new interception comes as part of wider measures to bolster air defences across Eastern Europe, as Russia’s conflict on Ukraine continues to present security dangers beyond Ukraine’s borders.
The recurrent drone mishaps underscore the growing risk of the conflict spilling over into surrounding NATO countries, security analysts believe. There is no proof that the drones were deliberately targeting Romania, but the incursions highlight the increased threats posed by Russia’s ongoing aerial assaults along the alliance’s frontier and the increased vigilance now needed to defend NATO airspace.
About the Author
