The Russian drone that entered Romania: why the pilots on F-16 decided not to break the drone. Explanations of the Romanian Army

The pilots of the two F-16 fighter jets on Saturday had approval to break the Russian drone entered in the Romanian airspace, but did not shoot on it, as the Polish army did. “They evaluated the collateral risks and decided not to open the fire,” the Ministry of National Defense, which also reveals the type of drone, used the Russians in the attack on Sunday.

According to the MApN, the drone that entered the airspace of Romania on Saturday, during a Russian attack on the Ukrainian infrastructure of the Danube, was of Geran type.

“A Geran drone used by the Russian Federation in Ukraine attacks entered the air space of Romania on Saturday, September 13, at 18.05 and was intercepted by two F-16 fighter aircraft, which performed an air patrol mission in the north of Dobrogea,” MAPN said.

“The drone orbit for about 50 minutes, from NE from Chilia Veche to SV of Izmail, and left the national airspace near Pardina, heading to Ukraine,” the Ministry of Defense said.

Why didn't the pilots break it down, though they were allowed?

The F-16 aircraft had intermittent contact with the target, visually and radar, following it throughout the evolution.

“The pilots received the authorization to break down the target, but in times they had direct contact, evaluated the collateral risks and decided not to open the fire,” the ministry said

In support of the Romanian aircraft also came the German allies dislocated at Mihail Kogălniceanu with two Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft, who monitored the area until 21.30, the army states.

“The Ministry of National Defense firmly condemns the irresponsible actions of the Russian Federation and emphasizes that they represent a new challenge to regional security and stability in the Black Sea area. Such incidents demonstrate the lack of respect to the Russian federation towards the norms of international law and endanger not only the safety of the Romanian citizens, but also the NATO security,”

Russia's ambassador convened to MAE

After this incident, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) convened the Russian Federation's ambassador to Bucharest, the Minister of Defense Ionuț Moșteanu announced, in an intervention at Digi24.

What is known about the incident in the airspace of Romania

The Ministry of National Defense announced on Saturday night that a Russian drone has entered the airspace of Romania, in the area of ​​Tulcene Chilia Veche.

“At 18:23, the F-16 aircraft detected a drone in the national airspace, which they followed up to about 20 km southwest of the Old Chilia, where it disappeared from the radar. The drone did not evolve above the inhabited areas and did not represent an imminent danger to the population security,” the MApN said on Saturday.

The authorities then issued a RO-Allert message for the northern area of ​​Tulcea county, the local population being informed that there is the possibility of falling objects from the airspace and urged.

After this incident, Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski warned that Russia is deliberately expanding its drone operations and that the West must respond with tougher sanctions and closer cooperation in the field of defense.

The last incursions of the drones were “an obvious extension of the Russia's war,” Zelenski said. “The Russian army knows exactly where its drones are heading and how long they can operate in the air,” he added.

“Do not wait for dozens of” shaheds “and ballistic missiles before making definitive decisions,” Zelenski warned, referring to the Iranian design drones that Russia uses.

What happened in Poland

The incident in Romania came a few days after Poland intercepted and shot down on Wednesday morning 19 Russian drones entered in its airspace. In the face of the threat, Warsaw invoked Article 4 of the NATO treaty, which has not happened since 2022, since the Russian invasion in Ukraine.

Also on Saturday, Poland announced that she and her NATO allies “held helicopters and aircraft when the Russian drones hit Ukraine not far from its border.”

The Polish authorities said that these actions were “preventive nature”, after the Polish air space was violated by Russian drones four days ago.