Romania shoots down third drone in three days that violated its airspace
A Romanian F-16 fighter jet downed a drone that entered its airspace over the Black Sea. This marks the third such incident in three days, with officials stating the drone is used by Russia in its war against Ukraine.
Romania's acting Defence Minister Radu Miruță announced on Facebook that a Romanian F-16 pilot shot down a drone that violated the country's airspace on 26 July. The drone was detected by radars outside Romanian airspace and entered its territorial waters at 10:08. Five minutes later, at 10:13, it was safely neutralized over the Black Sea in Romanian territorial waters, approximately 12 km northeast of Sulina.
The Ministry of Defence later clarified that the drone was downed in safe conditions. Miruță emphasized that every such incident confirms that Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine continues to create risks beyond Ukraine's borders. He added that Romania will continue to firmly defend its sovereignty and airspace, but these challenges must stop.
President Nicușor Dan confirmed that this is the third drone shot down in three days. An investigation by the General Prosecutor's Office revealed that the drone downed on the morning of 24 July is of the Shahed type used by Russia in the war against Ukraine. Following the third incident, Romania's Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian ambassador.
