Romania tracks drone activity near border, orders jet scramble

Romania scrambled NATO fighter jets overnight after detecting Russian drone activity near its border with Ukraine, the country’s Ministry of National Defence (MApN) said.

According to the ministry, radar systems identified drones operating close to Romanian airspace during the night of April 25. In response, two Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft of the British Air Force, deployed as part of NATO’s Enhanced Air Policing mission, took off at 02:00 from the 86th Air Base in Fetești.

The National Military Command Center alerted the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations to activate public warning measures in the localities of Grindu and Isaccea, located in Tulcea County. A RO-ALERT message was issued to residents at 02:14.

The fighter jets later established radar contact with a target located approximately 1.5 kilometers from Reni, over Ukrainian territory. Romanian authorities said the pilots were authorized to engage the drones if necessary.

Ground-based radars tracked multiple targets moving toward the area of Reni, where several explosions were subsequently reported.

At 02:31, residents of the city of Galați contacted emergency services via 112 to report that an object had fallen in the Bariera Traian area.

Emergency response teams from the Inspectorate for Emergency Situations and other units within the Ministry of Internal Affairs were dispatched to the scene and are conducting investigations.

Authorities said no casualties have been reported. Preliminary findings indicate that an outbuilding within a household and an electricity pole were affected, with no significant damage recorded.

The Romanian Ministry of Defence condemned Russia’s actions, warning that such incidents pose risks to regional stability and collective NATO security.

By Tamilla Hasanova