Romania has announced it will summon Russia’s ambassador following repeated violations of its airspace and the downing of three suspected Russian drones within the span of three days, marking a significant escalation in security concerns along NATO’s eastern flank.
According to The Guardian, a Romanian F-16 fighter jet intercepted and shot down a drone over the Black Sea on Sunday, just five minutes after it entered Romanian airspace. The incident was confirmed by Romanian Defence Minister Radu Miruță.
Romanian President Nicușor Dan said that a drone destroyed on Friday was identified as a Shahed-type unmanned aerial vehicle, a model widely used by Russia in its war against Ukraine. Investigations remain underway to determine the origin of the drones brought down on Saturday and Sunday.
NATO has indicated that the latest drone is also believed to have been of Russian origin. In response to the growing number of incursions, the alliance and its member states are strengthening air defense capabilities, including the deployment of additional ground-based anti-drone systems.
Romania has also enhanced its own defenses by integrating the U.S.-developed Merops air defense system, equipped with artificial intelligence, at the end of June. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022, Romania has reported dozens of incidents involving drones entering or crashing near its territory.
In 2025, Romania’s parliament approved legislation authorizing the military to shoot down unmanned aerial vehicles that violate the country’s sovereign airspace, providing the legal framework for the recent interceptions.
The latest incidents underscore increasing security risks along NATO’s eastern border as the war in Ukraine continues to spill over into neighboring states.
