World · Europe · 2 hrs ago
Romania shoots down two drones over the Black Sea
Romanian F-16 fighter jets shot down two drones over the Black Sea on Saturday after they entered Romanian airspace.
The drones were brought down about 20 kilometres southeast of Sulina, near Romania’s coast.
Romania’s defence ministry identified them as Geran-type attack drones, a model used by Russia in its war against Ukraine.
Drone attacks on ships have increased in the Black Sea off the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria.
A recent attack left seven crew members missing from a tanker off Romania.
The Black Sea is an important route for grain, energy and industrial goods, so security there matters beyond the region.
NATO will discuss the situation next week, and the alliance says it will adjust its defence measures if needed.
Romania’s F-16 fighter jets shot down two drones over the Black Sea after they entered Romanian airspace.
Romanian officials said the drones were jet-powered and belonged to the Geran family, but the Defense Ministry did not identify their country of origin.
The drones were downed near Sulina in Romanian waters on October 17.
The incident comes amid repeated drone incursions and attacks on ships in the Black Sea region.
NATO was expected to discuss the situation at a North Atlantic Council meeting the following week.
- Who
- Two Romanian Air Force F-16 fighter jets shot down the drones.
- What
- Two drones were shot down after entering Romanian airspace. Romania’s Defense Ministry identified them as jet-powered Geran-family drones.
- When
- October 17, 2026. The reported shootdowns took place between 6:01 p.m. and 6:05 p.m. local time.
- Where
- Over Romanian waters in the Black Sea, about 20 kilometers southeast of Sulina.
- Why
- Romanian officials said the drones had illegally entered the country’s airspace. Their origin was not specified by the Defense Ministry.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Romania scrambled two F-16 fighter jets from Borcea Air Base after radar detected aerial targets.
The first drone entered Romanian airspace, according to Defense Minister Radu Miruta.
Romanian F-16s shot down the two drones over Romanian waters.
NATO was expected to discuss the Black Sea situation at a North Atlantic Council meeting.
- Aircraft
- Two Romanian Air Force F-16 fighter jets
- Drones
- Two jet-powered drones identified by Romania’s Defense Ministry as Geran-family
- Location
- About 20 kilometers southeast of Sulina
- Date
- October 17, 2026
- First entry
- 5:59 p.m. local time
- Shootdown window
- 6:01–6:05 p.m. local time
5 sources
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Romania shoots down two drones over the Black Sea
What people are saying
Two drones were engaged and shot down a few minutes ago by Romanian military pilots over the Black Sea, moments after they had illegally entered our country
The Black Sea will be safe again
continue to work closely with our allies in the Black Sea, adjusting our deterrence and defense posture as needed
equipment to deal with a new kind of challenge