Romania Downs Russian Drone, Citing Repeated Airspace Violations

Romania scrambled F-16 fighter jets on Sunday to down a suspected Russian drone that had entered its airspace, marking the third such incursion in as many days, according to the country's president.

Two F-16 jets, operating under NATO's command, intercepted and shot down the drone over Romanian territorial waters in the Sulina–Chilia area. President Klaus Iohannis stated that one of the previously intercepted drones was identified as a Shahed-type unmanned aerial vehicle, commonly used by the Russian Federation in its war against Ukraine.

This marks the fourth drone downing by Romania in coordination with NATO within alliance airspace in recent weeks, according to Col. Martin O’Donnell, a spokesperson for NATO's Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE). Prior to these incidents, Romanian aircraft had downed a drone over Estonia in May.

"As we continue to prove, NATO is constantly on the watch and prepared to defend itself from any threat," O'Donnell said.

Romania has been bolstering its defenses against drone threats along NATO's eastern flank, including the acquisition of the MEROPS counter-drone system. This hardening of military defenses is part of a broader alliance effort.

In May, a Russian drone that had gone astray during an attack on Ukraine struck an apartment building in eastern Romania, injuring two people and raising concerns about the potential spillover of the conflict into NATO territory.

"It is inadmissible and intolerable that the Russian Federation continues to violate Romanian airspace, which is also NATO and European Union airspace," President Iohannis said. "Such actions are unacceptable and we treat them with all seriousness, together with our allies."

Belgium, a NATO and EU ally, described the latest incursion as a "stark reminder of the ongoing threat Russia’s war poses to European security." Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot reiterated his country's support for Romania, noting that 300 Belgian troops are currently stationed in Romania as part of NATO's eastern flank force.

Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, Romania and other NATO members have experienced a series of drone incursions attributed to both Russia and Ukraine.