Tensions are rising on NATO’s eastern flank after Romania said a Romanian Air Force F-16 fighter jet shot down another drone that had entered the country’s airspace without authorization. It is the third incident in three days, raising concerns in Bucharest about security in the border area as the war in Ukraine continues and clashes near NATO’s borders increase. According to Romania’s Defense Ministry, the drone was detected flying in Romanian airspace and was neutralized on Sunday morning by a pilot flying an F-16 fighter jet.

Authorities said the drone crashed over Romanian territorial waters, about 12 kilometers northeast of Sulina. “Our pilots shot down a third drone that had entered Romanian airspace. At 10:13, a Romanian pilot with an F-16 fighter jet neutralized the unmanned vehicle,” the Defense Ministry said. Romanian authorities are continuing their investigations to determine the origin of the drones. According to prosecutors who are analyzing the remains of one of the previously downed drones, preliminary evidence indicates that it is a Shahed drone, a model used by Russia in military operations in Ukraine. Romanian President Nicușor Dan congratulated the pilots and the Air Force for their response, saying they defended the country’s sovereignty and the safety of citizens.


He also warned that Romania will follow up with a diplomatic demarche against the Russian Federation, based on the final results of the investigations. “Any violation of Romanian airspace is unacceptable. This is NATO and European Union airspace and any such incident is treated with the utmost seriousness in cooperation with our allies,” Dan said. The recent incidents have increased the level of readiness of the Romanian military, as the country borders Ukraine and is one of the NATO states most exposed to the consequences of the war. Authorities in Bucharest are closely monitoring the situation, while awaiting the final results of the investigations that will determine further military and diplomatic steps.

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