NATO confirms Russian-made drone as Romania downs third in 48 hours
NATO said Sunday it stands ready to respond to any aerial threat, after a Romanian Air Force F-16 shot down a drone near Sulina — the third such interception in 48 hours. The Alliance said the drone appeared to be of Russian origin.
An investigation is underway, NATO said, adding that it remains in close contact with Romanian authorities.
"As we continue to demonstrate, NATO stands vigilant at all times and ready to defend against any threat," a spokesperson for NATO's Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) said. "In response to today's drone incursion into Romanian airspace, NATO scrambled two of its aircraft in Romania: two Romanian Air Force F-16s from Fetești Air Base."
Since Russia launched its war of aggression against Ukraine, Romania's Defence Ministry has logged 33 incursions by Russian drones into Romanian airspace, and roughly 50 incidents involving drone fragments found on national territory.
This year alone, Romania has recorded 18 unauthorized drone incursions into its airspace. Three of those drones were shot down by Romanian Air Force F-16s.
The intercepts come as NATO, Romania and other allied states actively acquire ground-based interceptor systems to strengthen air defence, both for the Alliance and for individual member states. Romania, for instance, has acquired the MEROPS anti-drone system, designed to intercept small unmanned aircraft and integrated into NATO's Eastern Flank deterrence initiative.
The third drone was shot down over Romania on 26 July, within 48 hours of the first two incidents. Drones were downed near Padina, in Buzău County, on Friday, and near Sfântu Gheorghe, in Tulcea County, on Saturday.
Russia's ambassador in Bucharest was summoned to the Foreign Ministry on 26 July over the incidents.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
