In a new episode that heightens tensions in Eastern Europe, it was confirmed that Romanian Air Force F-16 fighters were deployed to intercept the incursion of a Russian drone into national airspace. The news was confirmed hours ago by the Romanian Ministry of Defense, adding to recent events in Poland involving the interception and downing of Russian unmanned aerial vehicles by Dutch F-35s and Polish Fighting Falcons.
According to the Romanian defense ministry, during an airspace control mission in response to recent Russian attacks on Ukraine, F-16 fighters detected at 18:23 local time the presence of “…a drone in national airspace, which they tracked until approximately 20 km southwest of Chilia Veche, where it disappeared from radar.” The statement added: “…The drone did not fly over populated areas and did not pose an imminent danger to the safety of the population.”
Following the incident, Romanian Defense Minister Ionut Mosteanu officially stated: “Today, the Romanian Air Force intercepted a Russian drone that violated our national airspace. Two F-16s from the 86th Air Base immediately took off and tracked it until it disappeared near Chilia Veche. The population was never in danger. Romania condemns Russia’s reckless behavior, which threatens regional stability. Together with our NATO Allies, we remain vigilant and ready to defend every inch of allied airspace.”
The episode comes at a particularly sensitive time in Eastern Europe. Since the recent incursion of Russian drones into Poland and Warsaw’s subsequent invocation of Article 4 of the Alliance, NATO has reinforced its presence across several member countries under Operation Eastern Sentry. For example, France has confirmed the deployment of Rafale fighters from the French Air and Space Force to Poland, while in the Baltic region, the German Armed Forces are conducting a major exercise alongside allied nations.
Lastly, as these developments unfold in Eastern Europe, the Russian and Belarusian Armed Forces have recently launched ZAPAD 2025, one of their most significant bilateral exercises of the year, mobilizing a total of 30,000 troops—a far cry from the 200,000 that participated in past editions. Nevertheless, despite the reduced numbers, several sources have mentioned that Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces may carry out drills with one of their most advanced hypersonic missiles, the Oreshnik, which is nuclear-capable.
Images used for illustrative purposes.
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