Romanian media are describing a “war of nerves” and a hybrid attack unfolding in the shadow of the war in Ukraine, following the announcement by the country’s Ministry of Defense on Sunday that an F-16 fighter jet shot down a drone for the third consecutive day. The Romanian F-16 intercepted and destroyed a drone that had entered the country’s airspace without authorization, the Defense Ministry confirmed. The first drone — which Romanian prosecutors investigating the wreckage identified as Russian-made (Shahed-type) — was shot down by the NATO member state on Friday.
In a strongly worded statement on X, Romanian President Nicușor Dan announced that Bucharest will file a formal diplomatic protest with the Russian Federation based on the findings of these investigations.
Read also: Romania: F-16 shoots down second drone within hours — “The first was Russian,” Romanian Defense Ministry announces
The Romanian Ministry of Defense post
“Our pilots have shot down a third drone that entered Romanian airspace! This morning at 10:13 a.m., a Romanian pilot flying a Romanian Air Force F-16 fighter jet shot down a third drone that had entered Romanian airspace,” reads a post on X.
“The drone was safely shot down 12 km northeast of Sulina, within national airspace, over territorial waters,” the Ministry added in its official statement.
🇷🇴Our pilots have shot down a third drone that entered Romanian airspace!
This morning at 10:13 a.m., a Romanian pilot flying a Romanian Air Force F-16 fighter jet shot down a third drone that had entered the Romanian airspace.#WeAreNATO pic.twitter.com/nqRJBLojKE
— MApN (@MApNRomania) July 26, 2026
President Nicușor Dan’s angry message on X
“A new drone was shot down this morning at 10:13 by a Romanian Air Force F-16, over Romanian territorial waters in the Sulina–Chilia area.
I congratulate the Romanian pilots and ground crews for the professionalism, courage, and effectiveness with which they carry out their missions. Through their actions, they contribute to the defense of national territory and the safety of Romanian citizens.
According to the investigation being conducted by the Prosecutor General’s Office, the drone shot down on Friday morning is a Shahed-type drone, used by the Russian Federation in its war of aggression against Ukraine.
Investigations into the drones shot down yesterday and today are ongoing.
Romania’s formal diplomatic protest to the Russian Federation will be based on the findings of these investigations.
It is unacceptable and intolerable for the Russian Federation to continue violating Romanian airspace, which is simultaneously NATO and European Union airspace. Such actions are unacceptable, and we are treating them with the utmost seriousness, together with our allies.”
