Romania’s defense forces shot down a drone over its airspace on Saturday, marking the second consecutive day of similar incidents. This development highlights ongoing concerns regarding drone incursions in the country, particularly since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The Romanian military had its first successful intercept of a drone on Friday, approximately 114 kilometers (70 miles) from the capital, Bucharest. The subsequent incident took place at 8:34 am local time on Saturday, when the Romanian defense ministry confirmed that another drone, which had “illegally entered Romanian airspace,” was shot down near the Danube Delta, just 9.6 kilometers (six miles) west of Sfantu Gheorghe, a region close to the Ukrainian border.
According to Defense Minister Radu Miruta, the drone was first detected by radar at 8:22 am, and a Romanian F-16 fighter jet engaged and took it down shortly thereafter. Miruta shared the information via social media, reflecting the heightened alertness of the Romanian military in light of recurring drone incursions.
Since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict, Romania has witnessed numerous drone-related incidents within its territory. Notably, a drone crash in May resulted in injuries to two individuals when it struck an apartment building. That incident drew swift condemnation from NATO and the European Union, attributing the incursions to Russian actions and issuing warnings against future violations of Romanian airspace.
In 2025, Romania’s parliament approved legislation empowering its military to shoot down drones that breach its airspace, a crucial step in reinforcing national security. The situation has drawn attention from European leaders, including EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who reiterated the importance of strengthening defense and deterrence measures along Eastern borders. She commended the active role of the Romanian military in these ongoing security challenges.
As drone incursions continue to pose risks, Romania’s proactive military responses reflect broader regional security concerns in light of escalating tensions stemming from the Ukraine conflict.
