NATO Jets Scrambled After UAV Approaches Romania

Date Published: Aug 25, 2026 at 04:18 AM EDT
Updated: Aug 25, 2026 at 04:23 AM EDT

Fighter jets from NATO forces were mobilized when a suspected unmanned aerial vehicle neared Romania, raising concerns about the potential spread of Russia’s conflict with Ukraine into NATO regions.

The Romanian Ministry of Defense reported on Tuesday that two F-18 jets from the Spanish Air and Space Force were dispatched from Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base 57 following the detection of an aerial target roughly two miles east of Vylkove, a location close to the Ukraine-Romania border.

Residents in northern Tulcea County in Romania received warnings about possible falling debris and were advised to seek shelter for safety. The defense officials have not yet clarified if the drone intruded into Romanian airspace.

Note: This story is still evolving, and further updates will be provided as soon as more details are available.