Romania intercepted two drones over the Black Sea and appealed to NATO

The Romanian Air Force shot down two drones that entered the country's airspace over the Black Sea without authorization. Two F-16 fighter jets were deployed to intercept them.

This was reported by the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to the ministry, the first drone entered Romanian airspace on October 17 at 5:59 p.m. It was shot down within two minutes, 25 kilometers southeast of the city of Sulina.

The second drone was spotted in the same area. It was shot down at 6:05 p.m.—four minutes after entering the country’s airspace—approximately 20 kilometers east of Sulina.

The Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that security in the Black Sea is crucial for international food and energy security, as the region is a key route for the export of grain, energy resources, and industrial goods.

Romania has informed its allies and partners in the European Union about the incident. At Bucharest’s initiative, a special meeting of the NATO North Atlantic Council is scheduled for Tuesday, dedicated to Black Sea defense and deterring threats.

Romania and Bulgaria are also coordinating efforts to strengthen security in the Black Sea and accelerate the establishment of an EU maritime security center in the region.

The Romanian side stated that it is preparing for an increase in hybrid threats and will continue to prioritize air defense and maritime security.

Recently, the oil tanker Yara J was struck by a drone in Romanian territorial waters near the Ukrainian border. After being hit, a fire broke out on the vessel, which the crew extinguished on their own. 

Андрій Колісніченко