President Nicusor Dan reports Romanian F-16 jets shot down a Russian drone violating NATO airspace.
President Nicusor Dan stated that Romanian F-16 fighter jets shot down a Russian drone over the Black Sea on Sunday. The drone entered Romanian airspace only five minutes after its entry, marking the third incursion in three days for the NATO and European Union member nation. According to President Nicusor Dan, investigations confirmed that one of the recently intercepted drones was a Shahed model used by the Russian Federation in its war of aggression against Ukraine. The Romanian government is summoning Russia’s ambassador to address these repeated violations of sovereign airspace. NATO officials confirmed the downing of the drone as part of a broader effort to have alliance members acquire ground-based interceptors. Romania recently integrated the US-made MEROPS counter-drone system to enhance its air defenses. The frequent incursions have raised concerns regarding the security of the eastern flank, especially after a Russian drone struck a residential building in May, injuring two people.