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Spanish F-18 fighter jet shoots down drone that breached Romanian airspace
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Romania's defense ministry reported that a Spanish F-18 fighter jet, operating under NATO air-policing duties, shot down a drone that breached Romanian airspace near the border with Ukraine and Moldova early Sunday morning. The drone entered from Moldova and debris fell in an unpopulated area of the Galati region. This incident is the latest in a series of airspace violations affecting NATO states bordering Ukraine, highlighting the spillover effects of Russia's war. Romanian authorities have found drone fragments on their soil multiple times since 2023, linked to Russian attacks on Ukrainian Danube ports. Spain recently deployed seven F-18s, an A400M transport, three NH-90 helicopters, and nearly 200 personnel to Romania for NATO air defense. Last month, Romania shot down a drone for the first time since the 2022 invasion. Similar incidents have occurred in Poland and the Baltic states, including a recent drone downing by Italian jets in Latvia.
Source report
Romania’s defence ministry announced on Sunday that a Spanish fighter jet shot down a drone that breached the country’s airspace near the border with Ukraine and Moldova.
The incident is the latest to underscore the challenges facing NATO member states bordering Ukraine, exposing them to the spillover effects of Russia’s war.
Incident Details
According to a ministry statement, the drone entered Romanian airspace from Moldova and was intercepted by an F-18 fighter jet deployed on NATO duties at 5:01 a.m. local time.
Debris fell in an unpopulated area of the Galati region, near the Ukrainian border, the ministry added.
Romania’s eastern seaboard, bordering the Black Sea, lies in close proximity to areas frequently targeted by strikes.
Previous Incidents
Authorities have reported finding drone fragments on Romanian soil several times since 2023, following Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports along the Danube River, which lie just across the border.
Last month, Romania shot down a drone for the first time since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, after it entered the country’s airspace approximately 100 kilometres from Bucharest.
Similar incidents have been reported elsewhere on NATO’s eastern flank, including in Poland and the Baltic states.
NATO and Spanish Response
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares announced on Sunday that he had spoken with his Romanian counterpart, Toiu Oana.
“Spain’s efforts and solidarity are crucial for Euro-Atlantic security,” he wrote in a social media post.
Since late July, Spain has deployed seven F-18 aircraft, one A400M transport aircraft, three NH-90 helicopters, and nearly 200 aircrew to Romania to help protect NATO airspace.
On Friday, NATO confirmed that Italian fighter jets operating under the alliance’s air-policing mission shot down a drone that entered Latvian airspace.
This article has been updated.
Source
EuractivWestern
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