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Romania F-16s shoot down three Russian drones; analysts see test of NATO defenses
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Romania is facing repeated Russian drone incursions into its airspace, with over 80 incidents since the 2022 Ukraine war began. Over a recent weekend, Romanian F-16 pilots shot down three Russian drones, including two within 24 hours. This follows a May incident where a drone struck a residential building in Galați, injuring a mother and child—the first European casualties of the war outside Ukraine. The Romanian military, under pressure from public criticism, has adopted a policy of engaging intruding drones. Analysts view the incursions as a Russian test of NATO defenses. Romania expelled Russia's ambassador in response. The country faces these challenges without a functioning government and with severe budget constraints, highlighting the strain on NATO's eastern flank beyond Poland and the Baltics.
Source report
While European security experts and the public focus on Poland and the Baltics amid heightened threats, another segment of NATO's eastern border faces constant pressure. Romania must defend itself despite lacking a functioning government and grappling with severe public finance challenges.
Pilot's Account and Ministry Response
"We are there to protect them, day and night, seven days a week, all year round. When they are on vacation, when they are at work, we are up there. Maybe you can't see us, but we will protect you," said the Romanian F-16 pilot who shot down two Russian drones within 24 hours over the weekend.
The interview was published by the Romanian Ministry of National Defence, without revealing the pilot's identity.
Weekend Drone Incursions
Since last Friday, three Russian drones entered Romanian airspace over the weekend—one each day. Romanian F-16 pilots engaged and shot down every one of them.
This was not the pilots' first such operation. A Romanian fighter jet had previously downed a drone during an air-policing mission in the Baltics.
The elimination of a Russian UAV on home territory marked a significant success for the Ministry of National Defence and the military.
Escalating Airspace Violations
Romania has experienced more than 80 drone incursions into its airspace since Russia's full-scale war in Ukraine began in 2022. Currently, such incursions occur nearly every week.
The most serious incident came in May, when a drone struck a residential building in Galați, injuring a mother and her child. This produced the first European casualties of the Russian war outside Ukraine.
The incident sparked public debate in Romania about why the military did not strike the drone to protect residents.
"Probably this was a kind of national trigger to the reaction we had," said Romanian defence analyst Radu Tudor. The military authorities decided "enough was enough" and advised pilots to engage intruding aircraft when possible.
Russian Test and Diplomatic Response
Following the weekend's events, Bucharest expelled Russia's ambassador to the country.
"We believe that this is actually a Russian test," analyst Radu Magdin explained. "It's not a coincidence that one day after another they keep sending drones."
While the fighter-jet pilots passed the Russian "test" with flying colours, Romanian experts noted the asymmetry: cheap Russian drones are being downed by rockets worth half a million euros.
Source
EUobserverWestern
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