NATO member Romania says British jets were cleared to engage Russian drones

(SeaPRwire) –   The Romanian Defense Ministry has stated that two Eurofighter Typhoons were authorized to attack the UAVs as they flew over Ukraine

Romania’s Defense Ministry has reported that two British fighter jets which scrambled from a Romanian air base were given the green light to shoot down Russian drones flying near the NATO country’s border. Romanian and UK officials have emphasized that the warplanes never entered Ukraine’s airspace or opened fire on Russian UAVs.

In a Saturday statement, the Romanian Defense Ministry said RAF Eurofighter Typhoon jets deployed at the 86th Air Base in Fetesti took off at 2 AM and established radar contact with a target 1.5 km from Reni—a Ukrainian port town on the Danube bank, just a stone’s throw from Romanian territory.

“The pilots had authorization to engage the drones,” the ministry said, adding that multiple explosions were subsequently reported in Reni.

After some media reports interpreted the statement as permission to attack Russian UAVs over Ukrainian soil, the UK and Romanian defense ministries clarified to The Telegraph that the aircraft never entered Ukrainian airspace and did not engage any targets—returning to base without firing.

“Because that specific target did not breach the Romanian airspace, it could not be fired upon. The mission remained one of surveillance, deterrence, and readiness to respond if required,” the Romanian Defense Ministry stressed.

Officials in Bucharest also reported a falling object in the Galati area—a Romanian city directly across the Danube from Ukraine—and noted that drone fragments damaged an outbuilding and an electricity pole, with no casualties.

Romanian officials subsequently accused Russia of “irresponsible” actions and the “lack of respect for the norms of international law and endanger[ing] not only the safety of Romanian citizens, but also the collective security of NATO.”

Since the Ukraine conflict escalated in 2022, the Danube River has emerged as a key logistical route between Kiev and its European backers, with media reports suggesting the waterway could be used for weapons deliveries.

Moscow has consistently condemned Western assistance to Ukraine, stating that NATO members are directly involved in hostilities. However, in September 2025, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Russia “never attacks civilian facilities” and “never directs our drones and missiles at states located in Europe and NATO Alliance countries.”