BUCHAREST, ROMANIA — For the second time in less than 24 hours involving NATO-linked maritime security, regional tensions spiked as the Romanian Ministry of National Defense (MApN) confirmed that a Russian drone violated its national airspace on Wednesday evening, February 25, 2026.
The incursion occurred as the Russian Federation launched a fresh wave of aerial strikes against Ukrainian port infrastructure along the Danube River—a critical artery for global grain exports situated just meters from the Romanian border.
Rapid Response at Fetești Airbase
Romanian radar systems first detected the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the vicinity of the national border late Wednesday afternoon. In response, the military triggered preventive protocols:
- Scramble: At approximately 5:50 p.m., two F-16 fighter jets were deployed from the 86th Airbase in Fetești to monitor the situation.
- Public Alert: At 6:07 p.m., authorities issued a RO-Alert notification to residents in northern Tulcea County, advising them of the potential risk of falling debris and urging them to seek shelter.
- The Breach: The drone briefly crossed into Romanian territory near the settlement of Sfântu Gheorghe, traveling over territorial waters before exiting north of Sulina.
The air alert was officially lifted at 6:45 p.m. Romanian defense officials later confirmed that while the drone’s presence was a clear violation, it did not pose an immediate threat to human life. No wreckage or debris was found following a subsequent search of the area.
