In the early hours of Saturday morning, two RAF Typhoons were dispatched from their base in Romania to intercept Russian drones operating near the NATO border.
Despite the high-risk situation, British pilots did not open fire on the drone. Defense sources confirmed that the RAF jets remained entirely within NATO airspace and did not enter Ukrainian territory.
The Defense Ministry categorically denied reports that the RAF had shot down a drone inside Ukraine, noting that such an act would lead to a major escalation of the conflict between NATO and Russia, the report said. Guardian.
Regarding the current situation, Romanian officials confirmed that two RAF Typhoons arrived at 2:00 am on Saturday to intercept a Russian drone threat near the NATO border.
Pilots established radar contact with targets and were given explicit authorization to engage if the drones violated Romanian (NATO) airspace. Despite authorization of the use of force, Typhoons operated strictly within Romanian airspace and did not fire, as the drones remained outside NATO territory.
The RAF jets are deployed to Romania as part of a roving NATO air policing mission designed to prevent the Ukraine conflict from spreading to neighboring countries.
In this regard, a spokesperson for the Romanian Defense Ministry clarified that the pilots were authorized to counter the drones if they violated Romanian airspace, which they did not. It is pertinent to note that the mission remained one of surveillance, deterrence and preparedness to respond if needed.
The spokesman said: “Ground-based radar systems tracked several incoming air targets in the area near Reni (Ukraine), where explosions were later reported.
“After that moment, contact with the drone was lost. Half an hour later, residents of Galați (in Romania) reported through the single emergency service 112 the fall of an object on the outskirts of the city.
“Allied aircraft maintained a defensive posture, contributing to increased situational awareness and the security of NATO airspace.”
