Romania's Ministry of National Defence has reported 33 cases of Russian drones violating the country's airspace since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Three of those drones were shot down by Romanian Air Force F-16 fighter jets in 2026, according to Digi24.
According to the ministry, more than 100 Russian attacks have targeted Ukrainian territory near the Romanian border since the full-scale invasion began.
The ministry said that more than 40 attacks near the Romanian border have been recorded in 2026 alone. In response, aircraft assigned to NATO's Enhanced Air Policing mission were scrambled 34 times.
"During the same period, 33 cases of Russian drones entering Romanian airspace were recorded, the most recent occurring on July 26, 2026," the ministry said.
The ministry added that 18 unauthorized drone incursions into Romanian airspace have been recorded in 2026. In three of those incidents, the drones were destroyed by Romanian Air Force F-16 fighter jets. Romanian military personnel also discovered drone wreckage or intact drones on the country's territory on 16 occasions.
As previously reported, Romanian President Nicușor Dan said that a Romanian Air Force F-16 shot down another drone over Romania's territorial waters in the Sulina–Chilia area at 10:13 a.m. on Sunday. It was the third Russian drone destroyed in three days.
The president added that an investigation by Romania's General Prosecutor's Office determined that a drone shot down on Friday morning, July 24, was a Shahed-type drone used by Russia in its war against Ukraine.
