NATO says drone shot down in Romania appears to be Russian

US Colonel Martin O'Donnell, a spokesperson for the Headquarters of the Supreme Allied Powers Europe, has said the drone shot down in Romania on the night of 15-16 August appears to be Russian.

Source: Reuters, citing O'Donnell, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Commenting on the drone being shot down over Romania by a Spanish fighter jet, O'Donnell said the Alliance is constantly vigilant and prepared to defend itself against any threat.

"Additional details regarding Sunday's incident remain under investigation, ⁠but the drone appears to be Russian," the NATO spokesperson said.

The Romanian Ministry of Defence did not specify the drone's origin, saying radar had detected it entering the south-eastern part of the country from neighbouring Moldova, 24 km (15 miles) north of the city of Galați.

Romania, which shares a 614 km (382-mile) land border with Ukraine, has reported repeated violations of its airspace by Russian drones over the past four years, as well as floating mines in the Black Sea along key trade and energy routes.

Background: On the night of 15-16 August, an F-18 fighter jet from the Spanish Air and Space Force, which was patrolling Romanian airspace, shot down an unidentified drone that had violated the country's airspace.

Before the latest incident, Romania had shot down drones that had entered its territory on three occasions. These incidents occurred on 24 and 26 July.

Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu said that Bucharest had notified its NATO allies about the drone that violated the country's airspace the previous night and was shot down by a Spanish fighter jet.

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