Event
A Romanian F-16 fighter jet shot down a drone on Sunday, marking the third consecutive day of such incidents. Defence Minister Radu Miruta confirmed the drone was intercepted five minutes after entering Romanian airspace over the Black Sea. President Nicusor Dan stated that an investigation identified a drone shot down on Friday as a Shahed model used by Russia in its war with Ukraine. Romania summoned the Russian ambassador in response to the violations. The country has reported dozens of drone incursions since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, with a law passed in 2025 permitting the shooting down of drones breaching its airspace.
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Romania has formally summoned the Russian ambassador following the interception of a third drone in as many days, escalating tensions over the spillover of the Ukraine conflict into NATO airspace.
Background
Romania has intercepted a drone for the third consecutive day, with a Romanian F-16 fighter jet shooting it down over the Black Sea on Sunday. Defence Minister Radu Miruta confirmed the interception occurred five minutes after the drone entered Romanian airspace. President Nicusor Dan stated that an investigation identified a drone shot down on Friday as a Shahed model used by Russia in its war with Ukraine. Romania has summoned the Russian ambassador in response to these violations. The country has reported dozens of drone incursions since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and a law passed in 2025 permits the shooting down of drones breaching its airspace. Previous incidents include a drone crashing into an apartment building in Galati in May, wounding two people, and a Ukrainian naval drone exploding in the port of Constanta without causing casualties.
Romania has intercepted a drone for the third consecutive day, with a Romanian F-16 fighter jet shooting it down over the Black Sea on Sunday. Defence Minister Radu Miruta confirmed the interception occurred five minutes after the drone entered Romanian airspace. President Nicuso
Fact cards
Key entities: Romania, Russia, NATO, European Union, F-16, Shahed, Radu Miruta, Nicusor Dan.
France 24 International | Primary source for the event details, ministerial statements, and presidential quotes.
2022: Russia launches invasion of Ukraine; Romania reports subsequent drone incursions. May (Year unspecified): A drone smashes into an apartment building in Galati, wounding two people. Date unspecified (prior to Sunday): A Ukrainian naval drone explodes in the Black Sea port of
Timeline
Russia launches invasion of Ukraine; Romania reports subsequent drone incursions.
A drone smashes into an apartment building in Galati, wounding two people.
A Ukrainian naval drone explodes in the Black Sea port of Constanta without causing casualties.
Romanian parliament passes a law permitting the shooting down of drones breaching its airspace.
A drone is shot down; President Nicusor Dan later states an investigation identified it as a Shahed model.
A drone is shot down; investigation into the model is ongoing.
An F-16 fighter jet shoots down a drone over the Black Sea five minutes after it entered Romanian airspace. Romania summons the Russian ambassador.