Romanian F-16 fighter jets have shot down two drones over the country's territorial waters in the Black Sea, underscoring growing security concerns along NATO's eastern frontier following a
series of attacks on commercial vessels in the region.
According to Romania's Defence Ministry, the two unmanned aircraft entered Romanian territorial waters on Saturday at 14:59 GMT and 15:01 GMT. The military response comes just days after two chemical tankers were struck by drones near Romania's Black Sea coastline.
The vessels were anchored close to the Sulina Canal, a strategically important waterway connecting the Danube River with the Black Sea. The route serves as a vital export corridor for Ukraine, making the surrounding waters particularly sensitive amid Russia's ongoing war against its neighbour.
Romania, a NATO member, shares a 614-kilometre border with Ukraine, much of it running along the Danube. Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, Romanian authorities have repeatedly reported incidents involving Russian drones entering or approaching the country's airspace.
Earlier this year, Romania introduced measures allowing its forces to shoot down drones that violate its airspace, strengthening its ability to respond to potential threats.
A NATO official told Reuters that the alliance remains prepared to respond to emerging security challenges. The official stressed that NATO was ready to act around the clock to defend allied territory and protect its population.
Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu announced that the North Atlantic Council, NATO's principal political decision-making body, would meet on Tuesday to discuss defence and deterrence measures in the Black Sea region.
The latest interception follows a series of incidents that have raised alarm over the safety of commercial shipping in waters bordering NATO countries. A NATO military source told Reuters that the two chemical tankers attacked earlier in the week had been hit by Russian drones. Romanian authorities are continuing efforts to locate seven crew members who remain missing.
The danger extends beyond Romanian waters. At least five additional cargo vessels have reportedly been struck near the coastlines of Romania and neighbouring Bulgaria over the preceding two weeks. Across these incidents, 23 sailors have been reported dead or missing.
Most of the attacks occurred outside NATO members' territorial waters, but their proximity to alliance territory has intensified concerns about the potential spillover of the conflict into one of Europe's key maritime trading regions.
The latest drone interceptions highlight the growing challenge facing NATO's Black Sea members as military activity increasingly threatens commercial shipping, critical export routes and regional security. Photo by Footage courtesy of NATO's Allied Air Command, Wikimedia commons.
