A Romanian F-16 shot down a suspected Russian drone at 10:13 a.m. Sunday over the Black Sea near Sulina-Chilia after it crossed into Romanian airspace.
The interception was Romania’s third in three days and its fourth recent NATO-coordinated downing; President Nicusor Dan said one earlier drone appeared to be a Russian Shahed used in the war against Ukraine.
NATO said the jets launched from Fetesti airbase under alliance operational command, underscoring a broader effort to harden the eastern flank against repeated drone threats.
Romania has already summoned Russia’s ambassador, while Belgium called the incursion a stark reminder of the war’s threat to European security and noted 300 Belgian troops are deployed in Romania.
The latest breach follows a May incident in which a stray Russian drone hit an apartment building in eastern Romania, injuring two people and deepening fears of spillover into NATO territory.
With Romania actively shooting down drones under new 2025 laws, could these border clashes accidentally trigger a broader NATO conflict?
How will Russia respond to Romania's aggressive new intercept tactics after losing three drones over the Black Sea in three days?
Beyond diplomatic protests, what hidden economic impacts are these repeated airspace violations having on critical Black Sea and Danube shipping routes?