Romanian military radar detected an aerial target crossing into national airspace near the Ukrainian border on Thursday, August 13, 2025, according to the Ministry of National Defense (MApN). The target spent roughly two minutes over Romanian territory before heading back toward Ukraine, where explosions were subsequently reported, prompting the scramble of two F-16 fighter jets from Borcea 86th Air Base and the issuance of emergency RO-Alert messages for residents in Tulcea County.
Airspace Incursion and F-16 Scramble Near the Ukrainian Border
The Romanian Ministry of National Defense reported that its radar surveillance system picked up the aerial target at 09:02 local time on Thursday, near the fluvial border with Ukraine. Officials stated that the object crossed the national border and remained inside Romanian airspace for approximately two minutes before exiting toward Ukraine. Shortly after it left, explosions were heard in Ukrainian airspace, according to the MApN statement.
To monitor the situation, the Romanian Air Force scrambled two F-16 aircraft from the Borcea 86th Air Base at 09:20, following an earlier alert sent to local residents. The aerial alert officially ended at 10:36, according to military reports.
Nighttime Drone Activity Over the Chilia Arm and Port Ismail
Thursday’s morning incident followed a heavier nighttime assault in the same border zone. According to the MApN, radar monitored five drones approaching the fluvial border during the night, with one flying along the Chilia arm for about ten minutes after crossing briefly into Romanian airspace. The initial nighttime alert prompted an RO-Alert for northern Tulcea County before being lifted at 02:42, as reported by national.ro.
That nocturnal activity coincided with a Russian strike targeting the area around Ismail, Ukraine’s largest Danube port. Ukrainian authorities stated on Telegram, as cited by Reuters, that the attack caused property damage and sparked a fire. Port Ismail sits directly across the river from Tulcea County, separated by just a few hundred meters of water. Located in the southern Odesa region, the port handles grain and other commodities, operating just a day after a Ukrainian attack on Novorossiysk, a major Russian grain export hub on the Black Sea.
Civilian Warnings and Costinești Beach Discovery
Authorities issued emergency warnings to local populations as threats materialized near the border. Residents in Tulcea County received an RO-Alert message at 09:13 on Thursday, urging them to stay calm and take shelter in basements or civil protection shelters. A similar warning had been distributed overnight during the initial drone wave.
Separately, on the Black Sea coast, a floating object identified as a drone was spotted Thursday morning in the Tineretului area of Costinești, roughly 15 meters from the breakwaters, according to Mediafax. Beachgoers noticed the device near a pier and alerted authorities. Representatives from the Constanța County Police Inspectorate (IPJ), the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI), the Coast Guard, the Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (ISU), and the Gendarmerie deployed to the scene to examine the object and determine its origin.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How long did the target stay in Romanian airspace on Thursday morning?
According to the MApN, the aerial target spent approximately two minutes in Romanian airspace before crossing back into Ukraine. -
What military aircraft were deployed by Romania?
Two F-16 aircraft belonging to the Romanian Air Force’s 86th Air Base at Borcea were scrambled to monitor the situation. -
How did residents receive warnings about the aerial threats?
Authorities issued emergency RO-Alert messages to residents in Tulcea County, advising them to seek shelter in basements or civil protection bunkers.
Did you know? Port Ismail lies only a few hundred meters away from the Romanian riverbank across the Danube, making the Tulcea border zone particularly sensitive to neighboring aerial engagements.
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