Official NATO press releases or statements

Romanian F-16 Jets Scrambled After Russian Drone Breaches Airspace, Triggers RO-ALERT

Jan 17, 2025, 07:00 AM

A Russian drone attack targeting civilian and port infrastructure in Ukraine near the Romanian border led to a breach of Romanian airspace on the night of January 17, 2025. The Romanian Ministry of Defense reported that traces of a possible drone impact were discovered near the city of Tulcea, close to the border with Ukraine, specifically outside the locality of Plauru between Ceatalchioi and Tudor Vladimirescu. In response, two Romanian F-16 fighter jets were scrambled from the 86th Air Base at Borcea to monitor the situation. The Romanian authorities issued a RO-ALERT message to the population of northern Tulcea County, warning of the possibility of objects falling from the sky. The Russian drone attack also affected the port of Ismail in the Odesa region, damaging several buildings but causing no casualties. Additionally, Russian forces struck the port of Chilia Nouă near Romania's border using Shahed drones, prompting a response from fighter jets scrambled from the Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base. The Romanian Ministry of Defense condemned the Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilian targets and infrastructure, stating they are unjustified and in serious violation of international law. Teams from the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI) and the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MAI) are involved in further investigations. Allegations of airspace infringement have put NATO on alert.