Two RAF Eurofighter Typhoons were scrambled from Borcea Air Base in Romania early Saturday morning in response to Russian drone activity near the Nato border. The deployment followed a Russian attack on neighbouring Ukraine that left drone fragments in the Romanian city of Galati, damaging an electricity pole and a household annex.
The Romanian defence ministry confirmed the recovery of the fragments, which prompted an evacuation of the area due to concerns they might contain explosives. The fragments will be disposed of securely. This incident marks the first time property has been damaged by falling drone fragments in Romania, though such occurrences have been routine.
UK Ministry of Defence sources stressed that the RAF Typhoons did not enter Ukrainian airspace or engage any Russian assets. The aircraft have since returned to base. The Romanian defence ministry condemned the attack as 'irresponsible' and a 'new challenge to regional security', highlighting Russia's disregard for international law.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions along Nato's eastern flank, with suspected Russian drones breaching the airspace of several member states. Overnight Saturday, Russia launched over 600 drones and 47 missiles across Ukraine, killing at least four people and wounding more than 30, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Defence Secretary John Healey recently warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin poses 'the primary threat to UK security', citing increased Russian activity near undersea cables in the North Atlantic. Healey stated that any attempt to damage critical infrastructure 'will have serious consequences'.
