Two RAF Typhoon fighter jets were scrambled from a Romanian air base in response to Russian drones approaching Nato airspace, but did not open fire. British defence sources confirmed the aircraft did not enter Ukrainian airspace, countering reports that the RAF had shot down Russian drones there, which would have marked a significant escalation.
Romanian officials reported that the Typhoons took off at 2am on Saturday after radar detected multiple aerial targets near the Ukrainian town of Reni. The pilots established radar contact and had authorisation to engage if necessary, but the drones remained within Ukrainian airspace.
The RAF Eurofighter Typhoons operated strictly within Romanian airspace, adhering to national and allied rules of engagement. A Romanian defence ministry spokesperson stated that the mission was one of surveillance, deterrence, and readiness, with authorisation to engage only if the drones breached Romanian airspace.
Ground-based radar systems tracked the drones until contact was lost near Reni, where explosions were later reported. Half an hour later, residents of Galați in Romania reported an object falling on the outskirts of the town. The spokesperson emphasised that allied aircraft maintained a defensive posture to protect Nato airspace.
