According to Nicușor Dan, a Romanian Air Force F-16 fighter jet shot down an unmanned aerial drone over Romania’s territorial waters in the Sulina–Chilia zone on Sunday morning at 10:13 AM.
F-16 Interceptions Escalate Over Black Sea Waters
The Sunday morning interception occurred roughly 12 kilometers northeast of Sulina, where military pilots neutralized the aerial threat in safe conditions, according to a press release from the Ministry of National Defense (MApN). Nicușor Dan announced the successful operation about 30 minutes after the shootdown, commending the personnel involved. „I congratulate the Romanian pilots and ground teams for their professionalism, courage, and efficiency in carrying out their missions,” Nicușor Dan stated Sunday morning. MApN data highlights that four out of the five total drones downed so far on EU territory within NATO have been neutralized by Romanian military pilots.
Diplomatic Protest and Shahed Drone Identification
Investigations led by the General Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that the drone downed on Friday morning was a Shahed model utilized by the Russian Federation in its ongoing war against Ukraine, according to Nicușor Dan. Bucharest plans to file a formal diplomatic protest against Moscow based on these findings. „It is inadmissible and intolerable for the Russian Federation to continue violating the airspace of Romania, which is, at the same time, the airspace of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union,” Nicușor Dan emphasized. Interim Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan also condemned the incursions, stating on Facebook that these violations are a direct consequence of the conflict across the border.
Did you know?
Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, the Ministry of National Defense has recorded over 100 attacks near the Romanian border, resulting in 33 documented incursions of Russian drones into Romanian airspace and roughly 50 discoveries of drone fragments on national territory.
Civilian Alerts and Regional Defense Measures
Following Sunday’s intercept, authorities issued a fresh RO-Alert warning for the northern area of Tulcea County just after 10:00 AM, advising residents to seek shelter in cellars due to the potential risk of falling airborne debris. Interim Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan noted that the decisive actions taken by the Romanian Air Force alongside allied partners demonstrate the necessary firmness required to counter illegal maritime and aerial boundary violations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of aircraft shot down the drone?
According to Nicușor Dan, a Romanian Air Force F-16 fighter jet neutralized the drone.
Where did the latest interception take place?
The Ministry of National Defense stated that the drone was intercepted above Romania’s territorial waters, approximately 12 kilometers northeast of Sulina.
How many drone incursions have occurred since the war began?
Ministry data records 33 penterations of Russian drones into Romanian airspace since the conflict started, alongside more than 100 total attacks near the border.
Has Romania officially responded to these airspace violations?
Yes, Nicușor Dan announced that Romania will initiate a formal diplomatic protest against the Russian Federation based on ongoing prosecutorial investigations.
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