Two RAF Typhoon fighter jets were scrambled from a Romanian air base early Saturday to intercept Russian drones approaching Nato airspace, but they did not open fire, British defence sources confirmed. The aircraft did not enter Ukrainian airspace, contradicting earlier reports that Russian drones had been shot down by the RAF inside Ukraine—an event that would have marked a significant escalation in tensions between the Western alliance and Moscow.
Response to Drone Threat
Romanian officials reported that the Typhoons took off at 2 a.m. local time on Saturday in response to a possible Russian drone threat. The jets established radar contact with the targets and received authorization to engage if necessary. However, the potential targets remained within Ukrainian airspace, and the aircraft operated strictly within Romanian airspace in accordance with national and allied rules of engagement.
Surveillance and Deterrence Mission
The Typhoons are part of a rotating multinational Nato air mission based in Romania, designed to protect Eastern European countries from Russian drone incursions that could spill over from the war in Ukraine. A Romanian defence ministry spokesperson stated that the mission was one of surveillance, deterrence, and readiness to respond if required. Ground-based radar systems tracked multiple aerial targets approaching the area near Reni, Ukraine, where explosions were later reported. Contact with the drones was lost after that point, and residents of Galați, Romania, reported the fall of an object on the outskirts of the town via emergency services.
The UK Ministry of Defence has been approached for comment. The incident underscores the delicate balance Nato maintains in supporting Ukraine without directly engaging Russian forces, as the alliance continues to monitor the situation closely.
