For the first time, Royal Air Force (RAF) Eurofighter Typhoons on a NATO patrol have shot down Russian drones over Ukrainian territory. Two aircraft were scrambled from Romania as Vladimir Putin's forces targeted ports on the River Danube. The crew engaged and downed the Russian drones in Ukrainian airspace, according to a statement from the Romanian Ministry of National Defence.
Escalation in the War
The strike, aimed at protecting NATO member Romania, represents a significant development in the four-year conflict. It occurred as Russia's brutal overnight attacks on Ukraine forced NATO to scramble warplanes from both Romania and Poland.
On the morning of Saturday, April 25, Russian forces resumed drone attacks on civilian and infrastructure targets in Ukraine, near the river border with Romania in Tulcea County. The Romanian Ministry of National Defence reported that its radars detected drones flying near Romanian airspace.
Response and Engagement
Two Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft of the British Air Force, part of the Reinforced Air Police combat service, took off at 02:00 from the 86th Air Base in Fetești. The National Military Command Centre notified the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations to alert the population in the localities of Grindu and Isaccea in Tulcea County. At 02:14, a RO-ALERT message was transmitted.
The Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft had radar contact with a target located 1.5 km (1 mile) from Reni, above Ukrainian territory. The pilots had authorisation to engage the drones. The statement noted multiple explosions were reported in Reni, Ukraine, but did not specify how many drones were downed by the RAF. There were reports of falling debris from drones over Romanian territory, but no casualties were reported.
Condemnation of Russian Actions
Romania condemned the Putin regime over its attacks on the Odesa region, with targets half a mile from NATO territory across the Danube. The Ministry of National Defence firmly condemned the irresponsible actions of the Russian Federation, emphasising that they represent a new challenge to regional security and stability in the Black Sea area. Such incidents demonstrate Russia's lack of respect for international law and endanger the safety of Romanian citizens and NATO's collective security. Romania remains committed to fulfilling its obligations as a NATO member and will continue to work closely with partners to monitor and defend national airspace.
Broader NATO Response
In Poland, French fighters, supported by Dutch armed forces operating as part of NATO, were scrambled as Russia rained down missiles and drones on Ukraine. Poland raised military aircraft due to the activity of long-range Russian aviation carrying out missile strikes on Ukraine, according to a statement from the air force operational command.
Impact on Ukraine
Savage Russian strikes flattened a four-floor apartment building in Dnipro, killing at least two and injuring more than 20. Five more people may be trapped under the rubble. The city was under siege for more than ten hours. Strikes also hit the Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Kyiv, and Cherkasy regions. In Bila Tserkva (Kyiv region), a major fire produced heavy smoke, and residents were advised to close windows.
In one of the heaviest overnight assaults of the war, Russia launched missile and drone strikes at Ukraine, including 47 missiles, of which 30 were downed. A total of 580 out of 619 drones were shot down or suppressed.
Ukrainian Long-Range Strikes
Meanwhile, Ukrainian drones flew distances of more than 1,100 miles to attack major Russian cities in the Ural Mountains for the first time. The Kremlin was stung by hits in Yekaterinburg and Chelyabinsk with long-range unmanned planes targeting key hubs. The Liutyi drones hit an elite high-rise tower in Yekaterinburg, likely after it was targeted by air defences. Windows on upper floors were broken, and smoke was visible. More than 50 people were evacuated from the multi-story building, with multiple apartments damaged. At least six were injured. Reports indicate the Ukrainian long-range drones targeted the Chelyabinsk Higher Military Aviation School of Navigation. There were also unconfirmed reports of explosions near the key military supplier Chelyabinsk Metallurgical Plant.
