Romanian President Nicușor Dan said that on the morning of 26 July, an F-16 fighter jet destroyed a Russian drone over the country’s territorial waters.
According to the head of state, the incident occurred at 10:13 in the Sulina–Chilia area.
“I congratulate the Romanian pilots and ground crews for the professionalism, courage, and effectiveness with which they carry out their missions. Through their actions, they help protect the national territory and the safety of Romanian citizens,” Nicușor Dan said.
The president also reported that, according to the findings of an investigation by Romania’s Prosecutor General’s Office, the drone shot down the day before was a Shahed type, which Russia uses in its war against Ukraine.
An investigation is currently under way into the drones shot down over the past two days. Its results will serve as the basis for Romania’s official diplomatic protest to the Russian Federation.
“It is unacceptable and intolerable for the Russian Federation to continue violating Romania’s airspace, which is also NATO and European Union airspace. Such actions are unacceptable, and together with our allies we treat them with the utmost seriousness,” the Romanian president said.
- Romania’s Air Force on the morning of 25 July, for the second time in two days, shot down a drone that violated the country’s airspace. According to President Nicușor Dan, the drone was destroyed by a Romanian pilot flying an F-16 fighter jet.
- Also a day earlier, on the morning of 24 July, an F-16 fighter jet in Romania also shot down a drone. The incident occurred near the town of Padina, Buzău County.