Two RAF Typhoon fighter jets were scrambled from a Romanian air base early on Saturday to intercept Russian drones approaching Nato airspace, but did not open fire. The mission, part of a rotating Nato air policing operation, saw the aircraft maintain radar contact with the targets while remaining strictly within Romanian airspace.
British defence sources confirmed that the Typhoons did not enter Ukrainian airspace, contradicting earlier reports that they had shot down Russian drones over Ukraine. Such an action would have marked a significant escalation in tensions between Nato and Russia, as the alliance has consistently avoided direct involvement in the conflict.
Romanian officials stated that the jets received authorisation to engage the drones if they breached Romanian airspace, but the targets remained within Ukrainian territory. The mission was described as one of surveillance, deterrence, and readiness, with ground-based radar systems tracking multiple aerial targets near the Ukrainian town of Reni, where explosions were later reported.
After losing contact with the drones, residents of Galați in Romania reported the fall of an object on the town's outskirts via the emergency services. The Romanian defence ministry spokesperson emphasised that the allied aircraft maintained a defensive posture, contributing to enhanced situational awareness and the protection of Nato airspace.
