Conflict & Security
Romania says it shot down drone in its airspace for first time
Romania shot down a drone in its airspace on Friday, President Nicusor Dan said, describing it as the first such shootdown since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Dan told a press conference that a Romanian pilot flying an F-16 shot down the drone at about 11:00 am local time. He said the area was uninhabited, which allowed the pilot to fire from above, and that teams from several institutions were investigating the incident.
The defence ministry said the drone was hit near the village of Padina, about 114 kilometres from Bucharest. It said surveillance systems first detected an aerial target at 09:39. Two Eurofighter Typhoon jets from the Italian Air Force and two F-16 fighter jets from the Romanian Air Force were sent to monitor the situation. The ministry said a Romanian F-16 engaged the target and shot it down at 11:02.
Romania is a NATO member that borders Ukraine. The country has reported frequent drone incursions, including drones crashing on its territory, since the start of the Ukraine war, but had not previously shot one down.
A drone smashed into an apartment building in May, wounding two people. NATO and the European Union condemned that incident, blamed Russia and warned against further incursions.
Foreign Minister Oana Toiu said on X that Friday's shootdown reflected the pilot's action, the Romanian Armed Forces' rapid response and coordination with Italian Eurofighters on NATO air policing duty. She said Romania would continue investing in modern air defence and anti-drone capabilities.
Romania's parliament adopted a law in 2025 allowing the country to shoot down drones that breach its airspace. After the May incursion, the government said it would strengthen air defences and speed up the transfer of anti-drone capabilities.
Update
The defence ministry said the drone was downed around 114 kilometres from Bucharest, near Padina.
Surveillance systems first detected an aerial target at 09:39.
Two Italian Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon jets and two Romanian F-16s were sent to monitor the situation.
The defence ministry said a Romanian F-16 engaged and shot down the target at 11:02.
President Nicusor Dan said the area was uninhabited and teams from various institutions were investigating.
The source adds that a drone hit an apartment building in May, wounding two people, and that NATO and the EU blamed Russia for that incident.
The source adds that Romania adopted a law in 2025 allowing it to shoot down drones breaching its airspace.
Source note: AFP news report published on 24 July 2026 at 10:02:21 UTC.
Update
The defence ministry said the drone was shot down over the village of Padina, about 114 kilometres from Bucharest.
Surveillance systems first detected an aerial target at 9:39 am.
Two Italian Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon jets and two Romanian Air Force F-16 jets were sent to monitor the situation.
The defence ministry said a Romanian F-16 engaged the target and shot it down at 11:02.
President Nicusor Dan said the area was uninhabited and investigation teams from several institutions were working on the incident.
The source adds that Romania had detected drone incursions dozens of times since the start of the Ukraine war but had not previously successfully shot one down.
The source recalls a May incident in which a drone hit an apartment building, wounded two people and drew NATO and EU condemnation.
Source note: AFP news report published on 24 July 2026 at 09:18:20 UTC.
Update
President Nicusor Dan said the drone was shot down around 11:00 local time, or 0800 GMT.
Dan said a Romanian pilot flying an F-16 shot down the drone.
Dan said the area was uninhabited.
Dan said an investigation was under way.
Source note: AFP news report published on 24 July 2026 at 08:47:12 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The source does not identify who launched or controlled the drone shot down on Friday.
Investigations into the incident were still under way, according to President Nicusor Dan.
Source
AFP news report published on .