Drama in Romania: F-16 Fighter Jets scrambled; Authorities gave the green light: "Engage them" PHOTO

Romanian interim Defence Minister Radu Miruță said the Coast Guard reported this morning that a maritime drone had been spotted about 80 nautical miles east of Constanța, near the Neptun Deep gas platform.

Because of the drone’s proximity to critical gas infrastructure and the presence of several hundred people on the platform, Romanian authorities decided to destroy it. Two F-16 fighter jets were scrambled with orders to engage, and one of them destroyed the drone using its onboard cannon. The drone was carrying explosives.

Following the incident, a command cell was established within the Ministry of National Defence, while Romanian authorities requested that NATO-level command be assumed by the Romanian Army.

Following an assessment of the situation and consultations with the Romanian president, it was decided that the drone should be destroyed.

Two Romanian F-16 fighter jets were scrambled and given orders to fire. One of the aircraft engaged the maritime drone with its onboard cannon and successfully destroyed it. 

According to Miruță, the drone was subsequently safely destroyed. He said the aircraft was loaded with explosives.

At the same time, Romanian authorities were investigating the drone’s origin. Through a recently established direct communication channel, they contacted the Ukrainian side, which, according to Miruță, officially confirmed that the drone was not of Ukrainian origin.