Romania Shoots Down Drone Violating Its Airspace

A Romanian F-16 fighter jet shot down a drone that had violated the country's airspace on Friday. President Nicusor Dan announced the downing, noting that it took place over an uninhabited area, allowing the pilot to act without endangering civilians.

The Romanian ministry of defense said the drone was shot down near the town of Padina, in Buzau County in eastern Romania. Authorities have not yet disclosed the drone's origin, and investigators are examining the crash site.

The incident is the latest in a series of Romanian airspace violations since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Romania, a member of both the EU and NATO, shares a 650-km border with Ukraine and has repeatedly reported drone overflights during Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports on the Danube.

In late May, one such drone crashed into a residential building in Romania, injuring two people. It was the first time since the war began that an attack struck a densely populated area of a NATO member state and caused civilian injuries.

(Reuters, Lud)