Romania Scrambles F-16s After Russian Drone Enters Airspace

Romania scrambled two F-16 fighter jets on August 2 after a Russian drone crossed its territorial waters and entered national airspace during an attack on southern Ukraine. The Romanian Defense Ministry reported that the drone flew into Romanian territory for approximately 20 minutes before returning to Ukraine, where it was subsequently shot down by Ukrainian forces.

Some debris from the drone landed in the Romanian village of Periprava, about one kilometer from the border. The wreckage fell in a rural area and did not result in any casualties or damage, according to the ministry.

This incident follows a series of Russian drone incursions into Romanian airspace. Between July 24-26, Romanian air defenses reportedly shot down three Russian UAVs, leading Bucharest to summon the Russian ambassador. The Romanian Air Force had also issued an aerial alert earlier on August 2 due to another drone detected near the border.

Russian drones have violated Romanian territory multiple times during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. A notable incident occurred on May 29 when a Russian drone struck a residential building in Galați, injuring two people. These incursions are often linked to Russian strikes on Ukrainian port infrastructure along the Danube River, with the Izmail district in Odesa Oblast being a frequent target, situated directly across the river from Romania.

Romania, a member of NATO and the European Union, shares a 600-kilometer border with Ukraine. In February 2025, the country enacted a law permitting its forces to shoot down drones that violate national airspace.