On Monday evening, personnel from the 57th Air Base named after Mihail KogÄlniceanu in Romania, located near the airport of the same name, spotted several drones, Radio Liberty reports.
General Constantin Spînu reported that the drones were brought down using electronic means, as they could interfere with flights at the military base.
From 22:30 on Monday, April 15, until 12:30, security services at the 57th Mihail KogÄlniceanu Air Base registered the presence of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) in the airspace above the Mihail KogÄlniceanu International Airport, as well as two more such systems, as reported by the Romanian Air Force in a press release published on Tuesday. The drones, which were detected using electronic, optical, and visual means, were small, likely of commercial type, and were flying at low speeds.
"In accordance with the regulations, actions necessary to maintain safety in the airspace were implemented. Information about the drones was promptly conveyed to civil aviation authorities. Electronic warfare measures were repeatedly used. Closer to midnight, military personnel confirmed that all UAVs had been brought down — no radar or visual contact was detected with the last two drones," the Air Force reported.
A commission to investigate the incident was established at the military base, led by the chief of staff of the 57th Air Base.
According to the legislation, the right to operate aircraft in national airspace, including unmanned ones, belongs only to the relevant air traffic control authority.