Near the Odessa region, Romania shot down a Shahed drone for the second time in two days

For the second time in the past two days, the Romanian military shot down a Russian Shahed drone that violated the country’s airspace near the Odesa region. Romanian President Nicușor Dan stated that Bucharest is preparing a diplomatic protest against Russia once the investigation into the incidents is complete.

According to the Romanian Ministry of Defense, on the morning of July 25, two F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets of the Romanian Air Force intercepted an aerial target that had violated the country’s airspace. The drone was safely shot down near the Ukrainian border.

Subsequently, Romanian President Nicușor Dan clarified that the drone was destroyed at 10:13 a.m. over Romanian territorial waters in the Sulina–Kilia area, near the Danube Delta and the border with the Odesa region. He thanked the Romanian pilots and ground crews for their professionalism, courage, and effective performance of their duties in defending the national territory.

According to the head of state, based on the findings of an investigation by the Romanian General Prosecutor’s Office, the drone shot down on Friday is a Shahed-type drone, which Russia is using in the war against Ukraine. At the same time, the investigation into the drones shot down on July 24 and 25 is still ongoing.

The Romanian Ministry of Defense emphasized that this is already the second incident in the last two days in which F-16 fighter jets have shot down a drone that violated the country’s airspace. Both drones were destroyed by the same Romanian Air Force pilot, along with the same wingman.

The President of Romania also stated that once the investigation is complete, Bucharest will issue a diplomatic protest regarding Russia’s actions. He emphasized that further violations of the country’s airspace are unacceptable, as this also concerns the airspace of NATO and the European Union.

These are the first instances since the start of the full-scale war in which Romania has shot down drones that violated its airspace.

Recently, on July 25 at approximately 8:30 a.m. local time, the Romanian military shot down a drone about 10 kilometers west of the city of Sfântu Gheorghe. 

The day before, on July 24 at around 11:00 a.m., a Romanian F-16 fighter jet also shot down a drone that had intruded into the country’s airspace.

The President of Romania explained at the time that the target was over an uninhabited area, so the pilot was able to use force without putting the civilian population at risk.

Андрій Колісніченко