A Spanish F-18 fighter jet on a NATO air policing mission shot down a drone that illegally breached Romanian national airspace on August 16, 2026. The drone entered Romanian airspace from the direction of Moldova, about 24 kilometers north of the city of Galati in Galati County [1, 2, 3, 4].

The interception was conducted by Spanish F-18 jets deployed from Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base under NATO command. The drone was shot down safely at 05:01 local time (0201 GMT) over an unpopulated area between the villages of Baleni and Cudalbi. Fragments fell near the Romanian-Ukrainian border, but no casualties or property damage were reported [1, 2, 3, 4].

This event marks the fourth drone Romania has shot down in 2026 amid repeated airspace violations by drones believed to be Russian. Romania has experienced persistent drone incursions since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, sharing a 614-kilometer land border with the conflict zone [1, 2, 3, 4].

Romania’s acting Foreign Minister Oana Toiu said, "Romania is on the front line of NATO and European Union border defense. We have informed our allies and will continue to build a strong defense and deterrent force on the eastern flank," emphasizing the country's role in regional security [3].

NATO’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe said the drone’s origin remains under investigation but that it appears to be Russian. NATO spokesperson Col. Martin O’Donnell stated, "Further details of Sunday’s incident remain under investigation, but the drone appears to be Russian" [3].

Romania’s presidential adviser Marius Lazurca expressed thanks to Spain for its role, saying, "Our full gratitude to Spain for participating in NATO Air Policing!" [3].

Similar drone activities have been reported in other NATO eastern flank countries. An Italian jet shot down a drone entering Latvian airspace on August 14, 2026, showing coordinated responses across the alliance to Russian drone incursions [2, 4].

In July 2026, Romanian F-16 jets shot down three drones breaching Romanian airspace, the first confirmed instances of direct action against these incursions since 2022 [1, 4].

The incident on August 16 continues NATO’s air policing in the region amid ongoing tensions near Ukraine. The investigation into the drone's exact origin and intentions is ongoing.