RAF jets ‘engage’ Russian drones in NATO operation as WW3 tensions soar | World | News
RAF jets “engaged” Russian drones overnight as Russia launched a series of new attacks on Ukraine, including some near the border of the Western military alliance. Two Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft belonging to the British Air Force, allocated to NATO’s Advanced Air Policing mission, were taken off in the early hours of Saturday, April 25, after the Romanian Ministry of Defense detected unmanned aerial vehicles operating close to its territory.
In the statement made by the Ministry, the following statements were made: “The National Military Command Center informed the General Inspectorate of Emergency Situations (IGSU) to implement population warning measures in the Grindu and Isaccea regions of Tulcea District. The RO-ALERT message was issued at 02:14. The Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft established radar contact with a target located 1.5 km above Reni, over the Ukrainian territory. The pilots were authorized to activate the drones.
“Ground-based MApN radars tracked a group of targets to the Reni region of Ukraine, where multiple explosions were reported. At 02:31, residents of the city of Galaţi reported through the 112 emergency service that an object had fallen in the Bariera Traian area.”
The ministry acknowledged that no casualties were reported after the operation, but there was minor damage to an outbuilding of a house and a power pole.
Drone parts were detected at many points in the Galati region, which was secured by the Romanian Police and the military personnel of the Ministry of National Defense.
Condemning Russia, the Romanian Ministry said: “The Ministry of National Defense strongly condemns the irresponsible actions of the Russian Federation and emphasizes that they pose a new challenge to regional security and stability in the Black Sea region. Such incidents demonstrate the Russian Federation’s disregard for international law and endanger not only the collective security of Romanian citizens, but also NATO.”
This is thought to be the first time an RAF jet has collided with a Russian drone since the start of the unlawful invasion of Ukraine. This new development may further increase tensions between Britain and Russia.
Russian officials and propagandists have been making threats against London in recent weeks over its continued support for Ukraine.
Poland also confirmed the activation of NATO forces due to Russia’s latest attack on Ukraine.
The Polish Armed Forces Operational Command announced the operation against X early on Saturday. The article read: “Attention. In connection with the Russian Federation’s attack on Ukrainian territory with airborne assault vehicles, operations of Polish and allied aviation began in our airspace.
“The Armed Forces Operations Commander has mobilized the necessary forces and resources at his disposal in accordance with the procedures in force. Ground-based air defense systems and radar reconnaissance, among those operating among the combat aircraft and early warning aircraft on duty, have also reached a high state of readiness.”
The command said the measures taken were of a “preventive nature” and were intended to secure and protect NATO’s airspace in areas adjacent to Ukrainian regions where Russia was hit.
About four hours later, a new social media post announced the completion of operations and added that no violations of Republic of Poland airspace were observed.
The NATO operation comes amid Russia’s latest large-scale attack on Ukraine, in which several cities were hit.
Explosions also occurred in Kharkiv, Dnipro and Kyiv regions.
Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Governor Oleksandr Hanzha reported that a four-story building in Dnipro as well as an unspecified “industrial infrastructure facility” were also hit during the attack.
He stated that at least 14 people, including a child, were injured.
Russia’s attacks so close to NATO borders raise fears that the war could escalate and directly involve one of the alliance members.
If one member of the alliance were attacked, it could invoke NATO’s Article 5 and request the aid of the entire group, potentially dragging it into a war against the Kremlin.
