Romania Scrambles F-16 Jets After Russian Drone Attacks Near Tulcea, Issues RO-ALERT

Jan 17, 2025, 07:31 AM

Russian forces conducted drone attacks targeting civilian and port infrastructure in Ukraine near the Romanian border on the morning of January 17, 2025. The Romanian Ministry of Defense reported that its national airspace was breached during these attacks, with traces of a possible drone impact discovered near the city of Tulcea, close to the Ukrainian border. In response, Romania scrambled two F-16 fighter jets from the Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base to monitor the situation. A RO-ALERT message was issued to the population in the northern part of Tulcea County, warning of potential falling objects. The attacks targeted the ports of Chilia Nouă in Ukraine and Ismail in the Odesa region, with no casualties reported but several buildings damaged. The Romanian Defense Ministry condemned the Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure, stating they were unjustified and in violation of international law.