Romania says it shot down two Russian drones over Black Sea

Romania said Saturday that its military shot down two Russian drones over the Black Sea after they entered Romanian airspace.

Defence Minister Radu Miruta said on Facebook that Romanian pilots engaged the drones moments after they crossed into the country. He said F-16 fighter jets shot them down about 20 kilometres southeast of Sulina.

Miruta said the first drone entered Romanian airspace at 17:59 local time and was shot down within two minutes. He said the second was shot down at 18:05, five minutes after entering Romanian airspace.

Romania's defence ministry said two Romanian Air Force F-16s were involved and described the targets as jet-powered Geran-family attack drones. Geran-type drones are Russian versions of Iranian-designed Shahed attack drones.

Foreign Minister Oana Toiu said NATO would discuss the issue on Tuesday at a meeting of the North Atlantic Council.

The incident follows several reported drone attacks on shipping in the Black Sea off Romania and Bulgaria in October. Romania said an attack on Thursday left seven crew members missing off its coast.