Romania F-16s shoot down three Russian drones; analysts see test of NATO defenses

Published Jul 31, 02:49 PM UTC

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.