Romanian F-16 fighter jets shot down three drones that violated the country’s airspace over three consecutive days in late July 2026. The incidents occurred near the Black Sea between July 24 and July 26. The drones are believed to be linked to Russian military operations targeting Ukraine.
Incident Details
Each drone penetrated Romanian airspace by approximately 10 kilometers before being neutralized. The first intercept took place on July 24 near Sulina, a port city at the edge of the Danube Delta along Romania’s Black Sea coast.
NATO Response
The shootdowns were carried out under the umbrella of NATO’s Enhanced Air Policing mission, which has bolstered air defense capabilities across the alliance’s eastern members since 2022. The Romanian government issued strong statements following the incidents, emphasizing coordination with NATO command structures and highlighting the urgency of addressing spillover threats from the war in Ukraine.