Part of: Romania shoots down drone for first time since war began·3 events

Romanian F-16 shoots down unauthorized drone over Buzau

AI digestMimile.ai EditorialJuly 24, 2026 at 04:52 PM

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Romanian F-16 shoots down unauthorized drone over Buzau

A Romanian F-16 fighter jet shot down an unauthorized drone that entered the country's airspace on Friday, Defense Minister Angel Tilvar said. The drone was intercepted over an uninhabited area in Buzau county at 11:02 local time. No casualties were reported.

The Interception

The drone was first detected by radar at 09:39 local time about 20 kilometers east of Sulina, the Defense Ministry said. It then entered Romanian airspace and followed a route through Sulina, Braila, Fetesti, and Buzau. Two Italian Eurofighter Typhoons on NATO Air Policing duty scrambled at 09:48, followed by two Romanian F-16s from the 86th Air Base at 10:56.

Official Response

Minister Tilvar stated that the wreckage is being examined and emphasized the need to protect citizens and support international efforts against illegal attacks. The ministry did not disclose the drone's origin. The incident follows a May 29 event where a Russian drone entered Romanian airspace during a night attack on Ukraine and crashed into an apartment building, injuring two people.

What's Next

Romanian authorities are analyzing the drone debris to determine its origin. It remains unclear whether this incident will prompt additional NATO air defense measures in the region.

1 source

Romanian F-16 shoots down unauthorized drone over Buzau

sabah.com.tr

Sabah

Romanian F-16 shoots down drone in country's airspace

Romanian President Nicușor Dan confirmed that a Romanian Air Force F-16 shot down a drone that breached the country's airspace on July 24, 2026, at around 11:00 local time. The drone was intercepted over Buzau County, northeast of Bucharest, and the area was uninhabited, allowing the pilot to fire without risk. Italian Eurofighters on NATO Air Policing duty joined the response, according to Foreign Minister Toiu Oana.

Romania shoots down drone for first time since war began

Romanian President Nicusor Dan said an F-16 fighter jet shot down a drone near Padina, 110 km northeast of Bucharest, at about 11:00 local time on July 24. It was the first such interception since Russia's war in Ukraine began. The drone's origin was not disclosed.

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Romanian F-16 shoots down unauthorized drone over Buzau

The Interception

Official Response

What's Next

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