Romanian F-16s Down Second Drone Near Ukraine Border

UNN

Illustrative photo of an F-16 Fighter Jet.

Romania has shot down a second drone violating its airspace in 48 hours, as military jets intercepted the craft over the Danube Delta.  

The incident follows Friday's downing of a Russian drone—the first time the NATO country has destroyed an intruding aircraft despite dozens of border incursions since the start of the Ukraine war.  

President Nicușor Dan confirmed that the latest drone was brought down at 08:30 local time near the town of Sfântu Gheorghe. Defence officials said two F-16 jets were scrambled after military radar detected the incoming target at 08:22.  

While prosecutors confirmed Friday’s drone was Russian, authorities have yet to establish where Saturday's craft originated.  Sharing a 650km border with Ukraine, Romania has logged roughly 30 airspace breaches since Russia began targeting Danube river ports. 

Tensions escalated in May when a stray drone hit an apartment building in Galați, injuring two residents.  Romanian military chief General Gheorghiță Vlad cautioned on Friday that Russian attacks near Odesa are ramping up ahead of the grain harvest, risking further disruption to key Black Sea trade routes.




PUKMEDIA