Nicușor Dan: Romanian F-16 shoots down drone after airspace violation

A Romanian Air Force F-16 fighter jet shot down a drone after it entered the country's airspace, President Nicușor Dan said on X, Report informs.

Dan said the drone was intercepted on Friday morning after crossing into Romanian airspace.

"This morning, a Romanian pilot flying an F-16 shot down a drone that entered our country's airspace. The pilot was able to open fire without any risk. Teams from the relevant institutions are now investigating the area to provide full details of the incident," he said.

Romania's Ministry of National Defence said the incident occurred near the town of Padina.

Acting Defence Minister Radu Miruță said military surveillance systems detected the aerial target after it entered Romanian airspace. NATO air policing procedures were immediately activated, and Italian Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon jets assigned to the alliance's air policing mission were scrambled.

Shortly afterward, Romanian authorities also deployed two F-16 fighter jets, which were authorized to engage the drone, Miruță said.

În această dimineață, în jurul orei 11:00, un pilot român de pe un avion F-16 a doborât o dronă care a intrat în spațiul aerian al țării noastre.

Zona era nelocuită, astfel încât pilotul a putut să tragă fără să existe niciun fel de risc. În prezent, echipele instituțiilor cu…

— Nicușor Dan (@NicusorDanRO) July 24, 2026