Romania scrambles F-16 jets to shoot down a suspected Russian 'Shahed type' drone, marking the fourth recent violation of NATO airspace

Romania scrambled two F-16 fighter jets from the Fetești airbase to shoot down a suspected Russian “Shahed type” drone after it crossed into Romanian airspace on Sunday. The president said the incident was the third incursion in three days, and NATO said the jets were operating under NATO’s operational command. The drone was downed over the Black Sea near the Sulina-Chilia area at 10:13, according to Nicusor Dan. Romania’s authorities indicated one of earlier intercepted drones appeared to be a Shahed-type used in Russia’s war against Ukraine. NATO’s SHAPE spokesperson Col. Martin O’Donnell said this marked Romania’s fourth recent drone interception tied to violations of NATO airspace, following similar events above Estonia in May. NATO also noted Romania’s MEROPS counter-drone acquisition as part of reinforced defenses along the alliance’s eastern border.