The Romanian Air Force shot down a third unauthorised drone that entered Romanian airspace on 26 July, marking a sharp escalation in aerial violations linked to Russia's war in Ukraine. The drone was neutralised 12 km northeast of Sulina, within Romania's territorial waters, according to the Ministry of National Defence of Romania.

Details of the Incident

The drone was intercepted at 10:13 am by an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft of the Romanian Air Force over the Sulina–Chilia area. According to the General Prosecutor's Office, the drone is of the Shahed type — the same category of drone Russia has used extensively against Ukraine. Investigations into two earlier drones, shot down on Saturday and Sunday, are still ongoing.

What President Dan Said

Romanian President Nicusor Dan congratulated the pilots and ground teams in a post on social media platform X, calling their response a demonstration of 'professionalism, courage, and efficiency.' He wrote: 'A new drone was shot down this morning, at 10:13 a.m., by an F-16 aircraft of the Romanian Air Force, over Romania's territorial waters, in the Sulina–Chilia area. I congratulate the Romanian pilots and the ground teams for the professionalism, courage, and efficiency with which they carry out their missions. Through their actions, they contribute to the defence of the national territory and the safety of Romanian citizens.'

Dan further stated that Romania would file a diplomatic protest against the Russian Federation based on the ongoing investigations. 'It is inadmissible and intolerable for the Russian Federation to continue violating Romania's airspace, which is, at the same time, NATO airspace and European Union airspace. Such actions are unacceptable, and we treat them with the utmost seriousness, alongside our allies,' he stressed.

Pattern of Violations

This is the third drone incursion into Romanian airspace in a matter of days. On Saturday, a drone was shot down approximately 10 km west of Sfantu Gheorghe in central Romania. The Ministry of National Defence confirmed that radar surveillance systems detected the drone flying in the border area with Ukraine before two F-16 aircraft intercepted and neutralised it in an unpopulated zone near the border. Notably, the same pilot who downed a Shahed drone in Buzau County on Friday also brought down the Saturday drone.

NATO and EU Implications

Romania's significance in this context extends well beyond its own borders — as a NATO member state, any violation of its airspace is technically a violation of the alliance's collective airspace. This raises the stakes considerably, with Bucharest's allies watching closely. Romania's diplomatic protest, once filed, is expected to draw a formal response from the alliance. The repeated incursions come as Russia continues its drone campaign against Ukrainian territory, with stray or deliberately misdirected drones increasingly crossing into neighbouring countries.

What Happens Next

Investigations by the General Prosecutor's Office into all three drone incidents are continuing. Romania's diplomatic protest against Russia is expected once the probes are concluded. The episode underscores the growing risk of spillover from the Ukraine conflict into NATO territory, and will likely intensify pressure on the alliance to bolster air-defence cooperation along its eastern flank.