Romanian F-16 fighter jets shot down two suspected Russian drones over the country's Black Sea territorial waters on Saturday, marking a significant escalation in Romania's efforts to protect its airspace amid growing security threats linked to the Russia-Ukraine war.
Romania's Defence Minister Radu Miruta said Sunday that the intercepted aircraft were likely advanced Russian-made Geran-4 drones, capable of traveling at speeds comparable to some military aircraft.
According to Miruta, the drones were moving at approximately 450 kilometers per hour, suggesting they were equipped with turboprop engines. He confirmed that this was the first time Romanian forces had successfully intercepted drones of this type.
The Romanian defence ministry reported that the two drones entered the country's Black Sea territorial waters at 1459 GMT and 1501 GMT on Saturday before being destroyed by F-16 fighter jets.
The interceptions followed a series of drone attacks targeting commercial vessels near Romania's Black Sea coastline. Earlier in the week, two chemical tankers anchored near the Sulina Canal were struck by drones that a NATO military source identified as Russian.
The canal connects the Danube River to the Black Sea and serves as a crucial shipping route for Ukrainian exports.
Romanian authorities continue searching for seven missing crew members following the tanker attacks. Meanwhile, at least five additional cargo ships have been struck near Romania and Bulgaria over the past two weeks, leaving 23 sailors dead or missing.
Most incidents occurred beyond NATO territorial waters, raising concerns about maritime security and the safety of commercial shipping in the Black Sea.
Romania, a NATO member sharing a 614-kilometer border with Ukraine, has repeatedly experienced Russian drone incursions since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion in 2022. The country began actively shooting down drones entering its territory earlier this year.
A NATO official reaffirmed the alliance's readiness to respond to potential threats around the clock.
Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu announced that the North Atlantic Council will meet Tuesday to discuss Black Sea defence and deterrence measures.
Security concerns have also intensified in neighboring Moldova, where another drone crashed near the Ukrainian border without causing casualties or damage.
Moldovan authorities previously identified five Russian drones that landed within the country over approximately 17 hours on Thursday and Friday, prompting diplomatic condemnation of Moscow's actions.
