Bucharest, July 26 (IANS). Romanian Air Force pilots have also shot down a third drone that entered Romanian airspace without permission.
According to the Romanian Defense Ministry, the drone was safely shot down within Romanian territorial waters, about 12 kilometers north-east of Sulina.
Romanian President Nicosor Dan praised the pilots and said that they did their job in a very professional manner. He also described Russia’s action as ‘unacceptable and absolutely intolerable’, because it has violated Romania’s airspace.
“At 10:13 a.m. on Sunday, an F-16 aircraft of the Romanian Air Force shot down another drone over Romanian territorial waters, in the Sulina-Chilia area. I congratulate our pilots and the teams on the ground for their professionalism, bravery and rapid action. Their efforts play a vital role in protecting the country’s borders and the safety of Romania’s citizens,” President Nicosor Dan wrote on the social media platform X. Let’s fulfill it.”
According to an investigation by Romania’s General Prosecutor’s Office, the drone downed on Friday morning was of the ‘Shaheed’ model, which is used by Russia in attacks on Ukraine. The investigation into the drones that were dropped on Saturday and Sunday is still ongoing.
President Dan said, “Romania’s official diplomatic objection against Russia will be prepared on the basis of these investigative reports.”
He said, “It is absolutely unacceptable and intolerable that Russia is repeatedly violating Romania’s airspace. This is not only Romania’s airspace, but also NATO’s and the European Union’s (EU) airspace. Such actions cannot be accepted under any circumstances and we, together with our partner countries, are taking this very seriously.”
Also on Saturday, a drone that had entered Romania’s airspace was shot down about ten kilometers west of Sfantu Gheorghe, located in the central part of the country.
Romania’s Defense Ministry said in a statement that its radar systems had detected a drone that had entered the airspace over the eastern part of the country without permission and was flying near the border with Ukraine.
“Two F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft of the Romanian Air Force intercepted the drone and carried out the prescribed identification and neutralization procedure. Subsequently, the drone was safely shot down in a deserted area near the border,” the ministry said.
–IANS
AY/DKP