When Russia launched a series of fresh attacks on Ukraine, including some near the border with the Western military alliance, RAF jets “engaged” Russian drones overnight. Two British Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft assigned to NATO’s Enhanced Air Policing Mission were intercepted in the early hours of Saturday, 25 April, after the Romanian Defense Ministry detected drones operating close to their territory.
A statement from the ministry said: “The National Military Command Center notified the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (IGSU) to implement population warning measures in the localities of Grindu and Isasia, Tulcea County. At 02:14 a RO-ALERT message was issued. Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft established radar contact with a target located 1.5 km from Reni over Ukrainian territory. Pilots were ordered to engage the drone. Was authorized for.
“Ground-based MAPN radar tracked a group of targets to the Reni region of Ukraine, where several explosions were reported. At 02:31, residents of the city of Galassi reported the fall of an object in the Barriera Traian area through the 112 emergency service.”
The ministry said no casualties were reported following the operation, but there was minor damage to the exterior of a house and an electric pole.
Fragments of the drone have been identified in several locations in the Galați region, which have been secured by Romanian police and military personnel of the Ministry of National Defence.
The Romanian ministry condemned Russia, saying: “The Ministry of National Defense strongly 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 region. Such incidents demonstrate the Russian Federation’s disregard for international law and threaten not only the safety of Romanian citizens but also the collective security of NATO.”
It is believed to be the first time an RAF jet has engaged a Russian drone since the start of the illegal invasion of Ukraine. This new development may further increase the tension between Britain and Russia.
Russian officials and propagandists have been issuing threats against London in recent weeks over its continued support for Ukraine.
Poland also confirmed that NATO forces have been activated in response to the latest Russian attack on Ukraine.
The Polish Armed Forces Operational Command announced the operation on X in the early hours of Saturday. It wrote: “Attention. In connection with the attack by the Russian Federation on the territory of Ukraine using air attack means, the operation of Polish and allied aviation has begun in our airspace.
“In accordance with the applicable procedures, the Operational Commander of the Armed Forces has activated the necessary forces and resources at his disposal. On-duty fighter aircraft and an early warning aircraft, among others, are being operated, while ground-based air defense systems and radar reconnaissance have reached a state of high readiness.”
The command said the steps taken were “of a preventive nature”, aimed at securing and protecting NATO airspace in areas neighboring Ukrainian territories being invaded by Russia.
About four hours later, the conclusion of the operation was announced in a new social media post, stating that no violations of the Republic of Poland’s airspace had been observed.
The NATO operation comes amid Russia’s latest large-scale attack on Ukraine, in which several cities were attacked.
Explosions occurred in cities in the Kharkiv, Dnipro and Kyiv regions.
Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Governor Oleksandr Hanzha reported that a four-story building in Dnipro was hit, as well as an unspecified “industrial infrastructure facility” among the attacks.
He said at least 14 people, including a child, were injured.
Russian attacks so close to NATO borders are raising fears that the war could spread and directly involve alliance members.
If any member of the alliance is attacked, it could invoke NATO’s Article 5 and demand the assistance of the entire group — and potentially draw it into war against the Kremlin.
