RAF Typhoons scrambled in Romania: MoD clarifies no Russian drones shot down

In the early hours of Saturday morning, two RAF Typhoons were scrambled from their base in Romania to intercept Russian drones operating near the NATO border. 

Despite the high-stakes situation, the British pilots did not open fire on the drones. Defense sources confirmed that the RAF jets remained strictly within NATO airspace and did not enter Ukrainian territory. 

The MoD explicitly denied reports that the RAF had shot down drones inside Ukraine, noting that such an act would mark a major escalation in the conflict between NATO and Russia, as reported by the Guardian.

Concerning the current situation, Romanian officials confirmed that two RAF Typhoons scrambled at 2:00 AM on Saturday to intercept a Russian drone threat near the NATO border. 

The pilots established radar contact with the targets and were given explicit authorization to engage if the drones breached Romanian (NATO) airspace. Despite the clearance to use force, the Typhoons operated strictly within Romanian airspace and did not open fire, as the drones remained outside of NATO territory.

The RAF jets are stationed in Romania as part of a rotating NATO air policing mission designed to prevent the spillover of the Ukraine conflict into neighboring nations. 

In this connection, a spokesperson from the Romanian defense ministry clarified that the pilots were authorized to engage the drones if they were to breach Romanian airspace, which they did not. It is pertinent to note that the mission remained one of surveillance, deterrence and readiness to respond if needed.

The spokesperson said: “Ground-based radar systems tracked multiple aerial targets approaching the area near Reni [Ukraine], where explosions were subsequently reported.

“After that moment, contact with the drones was lost. Half an hour later, residents of Galați [in Romania] reported, through the single emergency service 112, the fall of an object in an area on the outskirts of the town.

“Allied aircraft maintained a defensive posture, contributing to enhanced situational awareness and the protection of Nato airspace.”