Romania successfully intercepted and shot down a suspected Russian drone that had entered its airspace on Sunday. This incident marks the third drone incursion within three days in the Eastern European country, a member of both the European Union and NATO.
According to Romanian President Nicușor Dan, two F-16 fighter jets operating under NATO command from the Fetești airbase were deployed to respond to the threat. They engaged the drone over the Black Sea.
“A new drone was shot down this morning, at 10:13 a.m., by an F-16 aircraft of the Romanian Air Force, over Romania’s territorial waters, in the Sulina–Chilia area. I congratulate the Romanian pilots and the ground teams for the professionalism, courage, and efficiency with which they carry out their missions. Through their actions, they contribute to the defense of the national territory and the safety of Romanian citizens,” President Dan stated.
The president added that “According to the investigation conducted by the General Prosecutor’s Office, the drone shot down on Friday morning is of the Shahed type, used by the Russian Federation in the war of aggression against Ukraine. Investigations into the drones shot down yesterday and today are ongoing.”
This occurrence marks the fourth time Romania has engaged a drone violating NATO airspace, in coordination with the alliance, as explained by Colonel Martin O’Donnell, a spokesperson for NATO’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE).
Furthermore, before these recent interceptions, Romanian jets successfully shot down a drone over Estonia in May. Currently, Romanian pilots and aircraft are stationed in Lithuania, where they possess substantial strike capabilities as part of NATO’s strategic posture.
“As we continue to prove, NATO is constantly on the watch and prepared to defend itself from any threat,” O’Donnell said.
Romania has acquired the MEROPS counter-drone system, which deploys cost-effective three-foot drones to intercept incoming Shahed drones and other variants. This initiative aims to enhance NATO’s defences along its eastern border against drone threats.
In May, a Russian drone inadvertently struck an apartment building in eastern Romania during an attack on Ukraine, injuring two people and raising concerns about the war spilling into NATO territory.
President Dan added that “Romania’s diplomatic protest against the Russian Federation will be based on these investigations.”
He also remarked, “It is inadmissible and intolerable for the Russian Federation to continue violating Romania’s airspace, which is, at the same time, NATO airspace and European Union airspace. Such actions are unacceptable, and we treat them with the utmost seriousness, alongside our allies.”
Belgium, a NATO ally, emphasised that the drone incursion highlights the ongoing threat to European security. Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot stated, “Belgium stands firmly with Romania,“ noting that one of the recent downed drones was a Russian Shahed.
He added that 300 Belgian troops are stationed in Romania as part of NATO’s eastern flank. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Romania and other NATO members have faced multiple drone incursions.
This article used information from The Associated Press.
