Romania scrambled two F-16 jets on Thursday after Russia conducted a series of drone strikes near its border.
The NATO nation’s jets were deployed in the early hours of the morning, and citizens in Tulcea County were issued an air raid warning, according to Romania’s Ministry of Defense.
Newsweek contacted Romania and Russia’s ministries of defense for comment.
Romanian F-16 jets flying in an international exhibition in Bucharest, Romania, in May last year.
Romanian F-16 jets flying in an international exhibition in Bucharest, Romania, in May last year.
Vadim Ghirda/Associated Press
Why It Matters
Russian drones have crossed into NATO territory on a number of occasions since the start of its full-scale war on Ukraine in 2022, with fragments found in Romania on several occasions.
Given NATO’s collective response pledge, the incidents have raised fears that the war in Ukraine could spill over into the rest of Europe.
Romania shares an approximately 381-mile border with Ukraine, and has been in close proximity to Russia’s previous attacks on Ukrainian Danube river ports.
What To Know
The incident occurred on Thursday morning as Russia conducted drone strikes on port facilities in Izmail, a Ukrainian city on the Danube river next to the Romanian border.
Romania’s Ministry of Defense reported that two F-16 jets took off from the 86th Airbase in Borcea at 3:40 a.m. and returned to base at 5:00 a.m.
Citizens living in Tulcea County, near where the Russian drone strikes were taking place, were notified by the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations and urged to take shelter.
Romania’s air force did not record any Russian drones breaching its territory in the attack.
It came just a day after Romania scrambled two F-16 jets on January 29 in response to further Russian drone strikes.
The Romanian government approved draft laws in December allowing its forces to potentially shoot down foreign drones breaching its airspace.
What People Are Saying
Romania’s Ministry of Defense said in a statement: “The Ministry of National Defense firmly condemns these attacks conducted by the Russian Federation against certain facilities and elements of the Ukrainian civil infrastructure, which are unjustified and in serious contradiction with the of international law norms.”
Romania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “RO MFA strongly reiterates steadfast position in support of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders. This position is clear and rooted in international law, national interest and a long lasting values-based foreign policy.”
What Happens Next
Romania’s Ministry of Defense said it will continue to conduct airspace monitoring missions, and will work to identify areas at heightened risk from Russian attacks on Ukraine.