Romania reveals details on third drone downed in three days after violating its airspace

Olha Kovalchuk - 26 July, 17:06

Stock photo; Getty Images

Romanian F-16 pilots shot down a drone that violated Romanian airspace on 26 July, within five minutes of it appearing over the country.

Source: Romania's acting Defence Minister Radu Miruță on Facebook, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The drone was shot down by a Romanian F-16 fighter jet at 10:13 over the Black Sea.

Quote: "The drone was detected by radars of the Ministry of National Defence outside Romanian airspace. It entered Romanian territorial waters at 10:08, and five minutes later it was safely neutralised over the Black Sea in Romanian territorial waters."

Details: The Ministry of Defence later clarified that the drone was downed "in safe conditions" approximately 12 km north-east of Sulina, over Romanian territorial waters.

"Every such incident confirms that Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine continues to create risks beyond Ukraine's borders. Romania will continue to firmly defend its sovereignty and airspace, but these challenges must stop!" Miruță stressed.

Background:

On 26 July, Romanian President Nicușor Dan said that a drone was shot down over the country's territory – the third such incident in the past three days.
He also recalled that according to an investigation conducted by the General Prosecutor's Office, the drone shot down on the morning of 24 July is of the Shahed type used by the Russian Federation in the war against Ukraine.
Romania's Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian ambassador after Romanian fighter jets shot down the third drone to violate the country's airspace in three days.

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