The Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft established radar contact with a target located over Ukrainian territory. The pilots were authorized to engage the drone, but did not open fire on it.
In the early morning of April 25, 2026, a Russian drone, part of 15 Russian OWA (One Way Attack) drones, crashed in the Galasi Autonomous Region, Romania, damaging a house extension and an electric pole. No casualties were reported. Two Royal Air Force Eurofighters deployed to Romania in support of NATO’s air security reinforcement mission scrambled from the 86th Air Force Base in Fetesti to intercept drones approaching Romanian airspace.
Here is the official statement released by the Romanian Ministry of Defense:
On the morning of Saturday 25 April, Russian forces resumed drone attacks on civilian and infrastructure targets in Ukraine near the Romanian river border in Tulcea County.
Ministry of National Defense (MoND) radar detected a drone operating near Romanian airspace. Two Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft carrying out an enhanced air security mission were launched at 2am from 86 Air Base in Fetesti.
The National Military Command Headquarters has notified the Inspector General of Emergency Situations to establish public alert measures in the Grindu and Isaaccea areas of Tulcea County. RO-ALERT message was issued at 02:14.
The Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft established radar contact with a target 1.5 km from the port city of Reni over Ukrainian territory. The pilot was authorized to engage the drone.
Ground-based MoND radar tracked the target group to the Ukrainian port city area of Leni, where multiple explosions were reported.
At 02:31, residents of the city of Galáci reported through the 112 emergency service that an object had fallen in the Bariera Traian area.
A specialist team from the Inspector General for Emergencies and other units of the Ministry of Interior is conducting an on-site investigation.
No casualties were reported.
Preliminary evaluation results showed that the outbuildings and poles within the household were affected without significant damage.
Drone fragments were identified in several locations secured by Romanian police and defense ministry soldiers.
The Ministry of Defense strongly condemns the irresponsible actions of the Russian Federation and emphasizes that these actions pose new challenges to regional security and stability in the Black Sea region.
These incidents show that the Russian Federation ignores international law and threatens not only the safety of Romanian citizens, but also the collective security of NATO.
Romania remains firmly committed to fulfilling its obligations as an Alliance member and will work closely with its partners and allies to monitor and defend the country’s airspace.
According to a statement from the Romanian Ministry of Defense: “The Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft established radar contact with a target 1.5 km from the port city of Leni over Ukrainian territory. The pilot was authorized to engage the drone.” Despite some media reports that NATO warplanes and Russian aircraft engaged in direct combat over Ukraine, the Romanian Ministry of Defense explained that British pilots did not shoot down the drone.
In an intervention to Digi24, Defense Intelligence Director Colonel Cristian Popovici said the drone that crashed in Galati was not fired by a British pilot. Because neither British pilots nor ground radar “saw” targets over Romanian airspace, only over Ukraine. “There was a swarm of 15 drones in the direction of Lenny, and then they suddenly disappeared from the radar, and then there was an explosion in Ukraine. We are not allowed to intervene on Ukrainian territory. ” Popovich said. The military is not ruling out the possibility that the drone was lost due to the low altitude it flew from and was not picked up by radar.
RAF Eurofighters deployed to Romania in March for a four-month NATO air security mission on the alliance’s eastern flank.
Operating out of Fetesti or Borcea Air Base as part of the 121st Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW), Eurofighters provide enhanced air security within NATO’s Eastern Sentry Border activities.
The RAF detachment and support personnel assumed responsibility for the German Eurofighter detachment.
