Romania’s F-16 shoots down drone in first NATO airspace intercept

A Romanian F-16 fighter jet shot down a UAV that entered the country’s airspace without permission on Friday, officials said, marking the first time a NATO member intercepted and destroyed a UAV in its national airspace.

Romanian authorities have not yet determined the drone’s origin or purpose. Romania’s chief of staff said pilots identified it as a Shahed-type drone, Reuters reported; this was the Iranian-designed attack aircraft widely used by Russia against Ukraine.

The incident carries direct implications for the United States and its NATO allies, as repeated airspace violations on the alliance’s eastern flank raise concerns that Russia’s war in Ukraine could extend beyond NATO borders. Romania, which borders Ukraine, has reported dozens of drone strikes or debris incidents since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.

Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Śoiu said that the intervention took place in an unpopulated area in Buzău County.

REPORT WARNES RUSSIA WILL USE SHADOW FLEET TO PROBE NATO UAV DEFENSES

Śoiu wrote on

Țoiu previously told Fox News Digital on July 2 that Russian drones were detected in Ukraine about 30 kilometers from the Romanian border, leading to two Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon jets operating from Romania’s 86th Air Base in Fetești fighting as part of NATO’s Enhanced Air Policing mission. He said that the Romanian Air Force’s IAR 330 Puma helicopter was also deployed at that time.

THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT AMERICAN WEAPON SYSTEMS THAT NATO WANTS TO HAVE

In this screenshot taken from a notification video by the Romanian defense ministry published on June 30, 2026, an explosion occurs following the explosion of Russian drone parts at a specified location near the village of Rachelu, Romania. (Romanian Ministry of Defense/Comment via Reuters)

“Such incidents constantly accompany Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine,” Śoiu told Fox News Digital.

According to Śoiu, Romanian President Nicușor Dan and Defense Minister Radu Miruţă reaffirmed the country’s commitment to protecting its airspace and investing in modern air defense and anti-drone capabilities.

This incident underscores the growing danger on NATO’s eastern flank as Russia continues to attack Ukraine and Kiev increasingly targets Russian military and energy infrastructure deep within Russia.

RUSSIA ATTACKED APPROXIMATELY 600 MISSILES AND UAVS ON KIEV IN THE DEADLIEST ATTACK AFTER MAY

Emergency workers work at the site of Russian missile strikes during Russia’s attack on Ukraine in the Kiev region on July 24, 2026. (Press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine/Statement via Reuters)

The drone attack came as Ukraine reported deadly Russian attacks in the Kiev region and Slovyansk.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a rescue operation was underway in the Kiev region after a Russian missile attack killed six people and injured dozens. Reuters later reported that Ukrainian officials and industry representatives said 10 people were killed and nearly 100 injured in the attack at an area where a defense industry event was being held.

“There were also casualties after guided aerial bomb attacks in Slovyansk,” Zelenskyy said. “Five people lost their lives. I offer my condolences to their families. Nine people were injured. Russians damaged ordinary houses, the consulate building and vehicles.”

According to information provided by Ukrainian officials, Latvia’s honorary consulate building in Slovyansk in Ukraine’s Donetsk Oblast was destroyed on Friday morning in a Russian attack involving a KAB-250 guided aerial bomb, Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže said.

Braže said Latvia’s honorary consul Oleksandr Pavenko was not injured, but two consular staff were injured. While the European Union and NATO informed the foreign ministers and international organizations about the incident, Latvia called Russia’s chargé d’affaires and gave a note of protest.

“Russia will be held responsible for these and other violations of international law,” the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. he said. “All war crimes committed by Russia must be thoroughly investigated and those responsible must be brought to justice.”

Zelenskyy called the attacks “brutal attacks on civilians” and again pressed Ukraine’s partners for air defense support.

“Interceptors for Patriot systems are the number one priority,” he said.

Ukraine also said its forces struck one of Russia’s key military facilities in Kirov, which Zelenskyy said provided components for Russian aircraft and missile systems used in attacks on Ukrainian cities. Ukraine also struck an oil facility about 840 miles away, Zelenskyy said, and operations are continuing against Russian logistics that provide drone components, navigation equipment and military equipment. Ukrainian broadcaster UNN reported that Zelenskyy confirmed the Kirov attack and the long-range attack on the oil facility.

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPLICATION

Ukrainian authorities are expected to arrive in St. Petersburg on July 24, 2026. Smoke rises from the Wildberries plant in Shushary, Pushkinsky District, Russia, where St. Petersburg says it followed a drone attack. This screenshot is from a social media video. (via social media/Reuters)

The Security Council is expected to hold an emergency meeting on Ukraine at 10 a.m. on Monday at Ukraine’s request, according to a United Nations program viewed by Fox News Digital. The meeting took place after Kiev repeatedly called on the international community to respond more forcefully to Russia’s attacks on civilians and infrastructure.

This back-and-forth comes as Kiev tries to show momentum on the battlefield despite ongoing Russian missile and drone attacks.

Outgoing Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said Ukraine recaptured 270 square miles in 2026 and handed over to his successor “an army that not only maintains defense, but also attacks,” Reuters reported on Wednesday.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Russian defense ministry but did not receive a response in time for publication.

Reuters contributed to this report.