Spanish NATO jets down drone over Romanian airspace

Two Spanish NATO fighter jets intercepted and shot down a drone that entered Romanian airspace early on Sunday, August 16, marking the fourth such unmanned aircraft the country has downed this year amid ongoing spillover from the war in Ukraine.

Romania's Ministry of Defence stated that radar detected the drone entering its territory from neighbouring Moldova at approximately 4:45 a.m. local time. Two Spanish F-18 Hornet jets, which were already airborne on a NATO air policing mission, were tasked with the interception. The ministry reported that the aircraft made radar contact with the target, received authorization to engage, and successfully shot down the drone at 5:01 a.m. Debris from the destroyed aircraft landed in an unpopulated area between the villages of Băleni and Cudalbi in Galați county, near the border with Ukraine.

The origin of the drone was not specified by authorities, who confirmed only its point of entry from Moldova. In a statement, Romanian Defence Minister Radu Miruță emphasized his country's position on NATO's eastern flank. "Romania is the front line of defence of the European Union," he said, adding that "Romania defends its airspace, and our allies...