Romania summons Russian envoy as it shoots down third intruding drone

What the report says

Al Jazeera reported that Romania summoned Russia’s ambassador after saying it had shot down a third drone that entered its airspace in three days. Romania’s Ministry of Defence said a Romanian aircraft intercepted a drone on Sunday morning, following similar incidents on Friday and Saturday. Foreign Minister Oana Toiu said Bucharest protested what it described as repeated violations of Romanian airspace.

According to the report, an F-16 fighter jet downed an unmanned aircraft over the Black Sea on Sunday. President Nicusor Dan said an investigation found that the drone intercepted on Friday was a Shahed-type model used by Russia in its war against Ukraine. Romania is a member of both NATO and the European Union, making the incidents a wider security concern for allied states bordering or near Ukraine.

Al Jazeera, citing agencies, said concern is growing that Russia’s war in Ukraine could further affect neighbouring NATO countries as both Moscow and Kyiv continue large-scale drone and missile attacks. NATO military spokesperson US Army Colonel Martin O’Donnell described the airspace violations as unacceptable and said allies, including Romania, are acquiring ground-based interceptors to strengthen air defences.

The report also noted recent drone-related incidents in Romania, including a strike on an apartment building in Galati in late May that injured two people and an explosion involving a maritime drone in Constanta port last month. Separately, Al Jazeera reported overnight attacks in Ukraine and Russia, including Russian missile strikes on Kyiv and other cities and Russian claims that 133 Ukrainian drones were shot down over Russia, the Black Sea and Crimea.