RAF Typhoon Jets Intercept and Destroy Russian Drones Near Ukraine-Romania Border

Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons engaged Russian drones over Ukraine for the first time, shooting them down after scrambling from a base in Romania. The Typhoons received clearance to engage the drones over the city of Reni in Ukraine, following detection of the drones heading toward Romanian airspace.

British Typhoon jets shot down the Russian drones, marking the initial instance of such action in the conflict zone.

The Typhoons scrambled from Romania in the early hours of Saturday, operating from the 86th Air Base at Fetești in Romania as part of NATO’s Enhanced Air Policing mission. They engaged the drones from Romanian airspace against targets above Ukrainian territory near Reni, which is located near the border with Romania.

Russian forces resumed drone attacks against civilian and infrastructure targets in Ukraine near the river border with Romania in Tulcea County on the morning of Saturday 25 April.

Romanian radars detected the drones operating close to Romania’s airspace. Two Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft of the Royal Air Force took off at 02:00 from the 86th Air Base in Fetești.

The pilots were authorised to engage the drones. Ground-based Romanian radars tracked a group of targets to the area of Reni. Multiple explosions were reported in the area of Reni, according to unattributed reports.

Romania’s National Military Command Center notified the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations to implement population alert measures in the localities of Grindu and Isaccea in Tulcea County. A RO-ALERT message was issued at 02:14. At 02:31, residents of Galați reported the fall of an object in the Bariera Traian area via the emergency services, according to unattributed reports.

Drone fragments were identified in several locations in the Bariera Traian area in Galați and secured by Romanian police and military personnel, according to unattributed reports. Preliminary assessments indicated that an outbuilding within a household and an electricity pole were affected in the Bariera Traian area, according to unattributed reports. No casualties were reported in the incident.

Romania’s Ministry of National Defence strongly condemns the irresponsible actions of the Russian Federation. The incident represents a new challenge to regional security and stability in the Black Sea area. Such incidents demonstrate the Russian Federation’s disregard for international law and endanger not only the safety of Romanian citizens but also NATO’s collective security.

" The engagement highlights ongoing aerial activities near the Ukraine-Romania border. Officials did not specify the number of drones or Typhoons involved beyond the two aircraft mentioned.

The drones' trajectory prompted the response to protect Romanian airspace. The Typhoons were assigned to the Enhanced Air Policing mission when they were scrambled, engaging targets located above Ukrainian territory near Reni.

The event occurred in the early hours, with explosions reported following the engagement. Residents in affected areas received alerts amid the incident, with emergency measures activated in Tulcea County localities. Drone fragments falling in Galați led to securing of the sites by authorities.

The ministry emphasized the risks posed by such drone operations to regional stability.