Romania Intercepts Drone During NATO Patrol

Romania reported a third drone incursion in as many days, with an F-16 shot downning one drone in the Sulina–Chilia area around 10:13 am on Sunday, and previous interceptions near Sfântu Gheorghe and other sites. President Nicușor Dan condemned the acts as unacceptable and intolerable, linking them to ongoing Russian attacks in Ukraine and vowing diplomatic protests based on investigations into the Shahed-type drones. Romanian officials said the drones entered Romanian airspace from the Black Sea and were neutralized safely in unpopulated or territorial waters, highlighting a pattern of repeated sovereignty violations affecting NATO and EU airspace. Authorities noted that Shahed drones have been identified in multiple incidents since Russia’s invasion, with investigations ongoing into the later drones. The incidents have prompted heightened security measures and international admonitions, including calls from Romania to defend its airspace and to coordinate with allies. The broader context remains the war in Ukraine, with these drone incursions underscoring spillover risks and Romania’s heightened defense posture.