NATO jets, including a German Typhoon and a Romanian F-16, scrambled on Tuesday to intercept two Russian drones that violated Romanian airspace, marking the first daylight incursion since the war in Ukraine began. The first drone returned to Ukrainian airspace, while the second was found shot down near Pieszti, about 110 miles from Ukraine. Romanian Defense Minister Ionus Moșteanu noted that the second drone was unarmed and speculated it may have crashed due to running out of fuel.
This incident prompted evacuations in three Romanian counties, as it was the 13th violation of Romanian airspace by Russian drones, and the third in a week. Additionally, six drones entered Moldova’s airspace, including an unarmed Gerbera decoy drone that landed on a roof near the border with Ukraine.
In response to increasing drone incursions, NATO has bolstered its Eastern Sentry mission and enhanced air patrols in Eastern Europe. Gen. Christopher Donahue, commander of U.S. forces in Europe, announced that new capabilities to combat unmanned aircraft will be deployed in Romania, with training for Romanian and allied soldiers already underway.
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