Romania scrambles F-16 fighter jets following drone activity on Ukrainian border

The Romanian Ministry of National Defence reported that two F-16 fighter jets were scrambled following the detection of aerial targets by radar systems near the Ukrainian border during the night.

According to the ministry's statement, radars identified 5 aerial targets near the Port of Izmail on the Danube River in Ukraine. Consequently, fighter jets were deployed to ensure the security of Romanian airspace.

The statement noted that one of the unmanned aerial vehicles entered Romanian airspace and moved back toward Ukraine after approximately 10 minutes. Due to the activity near residential areas in the city of Tulcea, a red alert was in effect in the region for several hours.

Romanian authorities stated that the fighter jets did not intervene with the unmanned aerial vehicle while in their airspace. It was reported that sounds of explosions were heard after the drones crossed back to the Ukrainian side.

According to initial assessments in Romania, no damage was detected. It was stated that the NATO member country continues to closely monitor airspace violations and developments along the border line.

The Russian Ministry of Defence, in a statement made in the morning, announced that it had carried out attacks on the ports of Izmail and Reni, which it claimed were being used by the Ukrainian military.