NATO member Romania shoots down stray drones from Ukraine war after years of incursions
Romania, a NATO member, has begun shooting down stray drones violating its airspace, marking a shift in its response to incursions from the Ukraine war. Over three days starting Friday, Romanian pilots used F-16 fighter jets to down three drones of Russian origin.
The story so far
- Jul 24
- Jul 26
- Jul 28
How outlets cover it
4 outletsNot rated on the left–right scale. It describes Western party politics and doesn’t fit state media or outlets outside that system, so we show ownership and country instead.
Open questions and key claims
A drone shot down on Friday was a 'Shahed model used by the Russian Federation in its war of aggression against Ukraine'.
The drone shot down on Sunday also appeared to be of 'Russian origin'.
It is inadmissible and intolerable that the Russian Federation continues to violate Romanian airspace, which is also NATO and European Union airspace.
Friday’s drone was a 'Shahed model, used by the Russian Federation in its war of aggression against Ukraine'.
'It is unacceptable and intolerable for the Russian Federation to continue violating Romania’s airspace, which is also the airspace of NATO and the European Union.'
At least 19 drones have entered Romania's airspace this year, with 50 cases of drones or fragments identified since 2022.
A Romanian F-16 fighter jet shot down an unauthorized drone in Romanian airspace.
This is the first time a NATO member has intercepted and destroyed a drone within its national airspace.
Who and where
Related stories over time
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- Jul 1 – Jul 9 earlierTrump targets Spain, NATO backs Ukraine: Is the alliance still united?73 articles · 6 outlets
- Jul 24 – Jul 28◆ This story
- Sep 13 – Sep 15 laterNATO jet shoots down suspected Russian drone over Lithuania18 articles · 5 outlets
- Sep 17 – Sep 20 laterEuropean spy chiefs warn Moscow is planning more decisive action against Nato6 articles · 3 outlets