NATO member Romania shoots down stray drones from Ukraine war after years of incursions
Summary
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, drones from the conflict have repeatedly crossed into Romania’s airspace. Romania has now started shooting down these drones using F-16 fighter jets and a new counter-drone system to stop these incursions.Key Facts
- Romania is a NATO and European Union member sharing a border with Ukraine.
- Since the war began in February 2022, drones linked to Russia have crossed into Romanian territory multiple times.
- Romanian pilots shot down three drones in three days starting in May 2024.
- Romania expelled a Russian diplomat and protested to Moscow after identifying the drones.
- In May 2024, a drone crashed in the eastern Romanian town of Galati, injuring a mother and child.
- Romania and Poland acquired the MEROPS system, a short-range counter-drone defense to shoot down incoming drones.
- Romania counted at least 19 drone airspace violations and 50 drone or fragment findings in its territory since the war started.
- Romanian President Nicusor Dan publicly thanked pilots and blamed Russia for violating Romania’s airspace.
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