Russian drones crash in Romania and Moldova after massive strikes on Ukraine, prompting NATO jet deployments and diplomatic protests.
BUCHAREST: NATO member Romania scrambled fighter jets after drones crashed on its territory and in neighbouring Moldova following a night of massive Russian air strikes in Ukraine.
Moldovan police evacuated a village after drone fragments fell on a house in the Cuhurestii de Jos region near the Ukrainian border.
Authorities cordoned off the area and dispatched explosives experts to the scene.
The Moldovan defence ministry detected six unauthorised drones crossing its airspace.
Its foreign ministry will summon the Russian ambassador on Wednesday over what it called “the serious violation” of Moldova’s airspace.
Romanian authorities found a crashed drone in Vaslui county near the Moldovan border.
Defence minister Ionut Mosteanu said the drone appeared to have lost control or run out of fuel without carrying explosives.
Romania’s defence ministry reported the first drone crossed national airspace from Ukraine’s Vylkove to Tulcea county.
Two German Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft were scrambled from Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base to monitor the situation.
Two F-16 planes were subsequently deployed when a second drone incursion was detected in eastern Galati region.
US General Chris Donahue, visiting Romania, said NATO members were finalising capabilities to shoot down drones.
Last week, Romania already scrambled fighter jets over a drone incursion, while Moldova summoned the Russian ambassador over similar violations.
