Romania and Moldova on high alert after Russian drone incursions

Romania and Moldova have reported violations of their airspace by Russian drones during ongoing attacks on Ukraine.

The Romanian Ministry of Defence, quoted by Ukrainian media, stated that early on November 25, radars detected unknown targets moving toward Romania near Tulcea County.

Two German Eurofighter Typhoon jets were scrambled from a Romanian airbase to monitor the situation. The target crossed Romanian airspace along a route from Vylkove in Ukraine to the Kilia-Veche area, with one jet establishing radar contact over Ukrainian territory, outside Romanian airspace.

Later, a second wave of fighters — two F-16 Fighting Falcons — was deployed, and residents of Galați County and surrounding areas were issued a Ro-Alert warning. Radar systems detected a second incursion near Galați, with jets establishing contact with the intruding object. The Romanian Ministry of Defence assured that the situation was fully under control.

The Ukrainian Air Force had earlier reported that a Russian drone may have crossed into Romanian territory during the large-scale attack on November 25. In addition, on the night of November 23–24, Russia conducted drone strikes in southern Ukraine near the Romanian border, which also prompted the Romanian Air Force to scramble fighter jets.

Moldovan border police confirmed that during the night of November 24, a Shahed-type Russian drone flew through Moldovan territory en route to Romania. The drone was detected in southern Moldova, moving toward Vinogradovka–Vulcănești, and crossed into Romania near the villages of Colibași (Cahul District) and Vadul-lui-Isac. Moldovan authorities immediately informed Romania and are now inspecting the drone’s route for potentially hazardous objects.

This is not the first incident of this type. On November 19, a Russian UAV also entered the airspace of both Moldova and Romania, leading Moldova to summon the Russian ambassador. Romania confirmed violations of its airspace and scrambled jets to maintain control over the situation.

By Tamilla Hasanova