Two F-16 fighter jets scrambled in Romania on Aug. 2 after a Russian drone was detected flying near the Danube River, according to the Romanian Defense Ministry. The drone crossed into Romanian airspace and lingered for about 20 minutes before retreating to Ukrainian territory, where it was eventually shot down.
An aerial alert was issued for Tulcea County during the incident, and debris from the drone fell in the village of Periprava, just one kilometer from the border. No casualties or property damage were reported, the defense ministry confirmed. This was the second aerial alert in Romania on that day alone, underscoring the growing frequency of drone incursions.
The incident comes after a series of drone strikes in the region, including a May 29 strike that hit a residential building in Galați, injuring two people. These attacks often originate from Russian strikes on port infrastructure in Ukraine, particularly in the Izmail district near Odesa, which lies directly across the river from Romania.
In response, Romania passed a law in February 2025 authorizing forces to shoot down drones that enter its airspace. The country shares a 600-kilometer border with Ukraine along the Danube and the Black Sea. As a NATO and EU member, the repeated incursions are a clear test of its national sovereignty and regional security coordination.