Romanian F-16s Intercept and Destroy Two Drones Over the Black Sea

Published on 17/10/2026 – 20:14 GMT+2

Romanian F-16 fighter jets intercepted and destroyed two drones over the Black Sea, officials reported on Saturday.

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Defence Minister Radu Miruta said the first drone entered Romanian airspace around 17:59 and was shot down within two minutes, about 25 km southeast of Sulina.

“The second drone, in the same vicinity, was engaged and downed at 18:05, five minutes after entering national airspace, roughly 20 km east of Sulina,” Miruta added.

According to a Defence Ministry statement, two F-16s on air‑police patrol from the 86th Air Base at Borcea, near Fetești, were scrambled to intercept the drones.

The jets were activated after radar detected multiple aerial targets, the ministry noted.

“The Black Sea is a vital maritime corridor for global grain, energy, and industrial shipments, so its stability is essential to worldwide food and energy security,” wrote Romania’s Foreign Minister Oana Toiu on X, noting that NATO will address Black Sea defence and deterrence at a forthcoming meeting.

“The Black Sea will be secure again,” she added.

Located on NATO’s eastern flank, Romania faces heightened security risks from Russia’s war in Ukraine and has experienced a rise in drone incursions linked to the conflict over recent months.

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