BUCHAREST, Romania — A suspected Russian drone that breached Romanian airspace was shot down by an F-18 fighter operating on a NATO air-policing mission early Sunday, Romania’s Defence Ministry said, marking the fourth unmanned aircraft destroyed over the country this year.
- An F-18 fighter from a Spanish NATO contingent shot down the drone at 5:01 a.m. local time.
- The aircraft entered Romanian airspace from neighbouring Moldova, according to Romania’s Defence Ministry.
- NATO said the drone appeared to be Russian, although its origin remained under investigation.
- Fragments of the destroyed drone reportedly fell in an uninhabited area between two villages.
Russian drone suspected after Romanian airspace breach
Romania’s Defence Ministry said the drone was detected by radar after entering the country from Moldova, about 24 km north of the southeastern city of Galati.
The ministry did not identify the drone’s origin. NATO military headquarters spokesperson U.S. Army Colonel Martin O’Donnell said additional details were still being investigated but the aircraft appeared to be Russian.
“Additional details regarding Sunday’s incident remain under investigation, but the drone appears to be Russian.”
O’Donnell said NATO remained continuously vigilant and prepared to respond to threats against the alliance.
NATO fighter receives permission to engage
The F-18 was part of a Spanish NATO contingent deployed in Romania. After establishing radar contact with the drone, the fighter received authorization to engage the aircraft.
Romania’s Defence Ministry said the drone was brought down safely at 5:01 a.m. The resulting fragments appeared to have landed in an uninhabited area between two villages.
No casualties or damage were reported in the supplied material.
Romania faces repeated drone incursions
The incident comes as Romania continues to deal with repeated airspace violations linked to Russia’s war in Ukraine. The NATO member shares a 614-km land border with Ukraine and has also reported mines drifting into the Black Sea along important trade and energy routes.
The latest incident is the fourth unmanned aircraft shot down over Romanian territory this year, according to the country’s Defence Ministry.
Three Russian drones shot down in July
Romanian F-16 pilots shot down three Russian drones in July after dozens of airspace incursions since Russia began its war in Ukraine. It was the first time Romanian fighter jets had destroyed Russian drones during such incursions, according to the supplied report.
In another incident in May, a Russian drone crashed into an apartment building in Galati during an overnight attack on neighbouring Ukraine. Two people were injured in that incident.
What happens next?
The origin and circumstances surrounding Sunday’s drone incursion remain under investigation. Romanian authorities and NATO are expected to continue assessing the aircraft and the circumstances that led to its entry into Romanian airspace.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the suspected Russian drone enter Romania?
Romania’s Defence Ministry said radar detected the drone entering Romanian territory from neighbouring Moldova, about 24 km north of Galati.
Which aircraft shot down the drone?
An F-18 fighter from a Spanish NATO contingent deployed in Romania intercepted and shot down the drone after receiving authorization to engage.
Source attribution: Reuters, Romania’s Defence Ministry and NATO military headquarters.
