Russian drones violate Romanian airspace during nighttime attack on Ukraine

Romania's Ministry of Defense confirmed the incident.

At 02:49 a.m., Ukraine's Air Force announced that a group of Russian drones had breached Romanian airspace.

According to Romania’s Defense Ministry, Russian forces resumed drone strikes on the morning of September 8, targeting civilian infrastructure and ports in Ukraine near the Romanian border.

Residents in Tulcea and Constanţa counties were alerted via the RO-Alert system at 02:20 a.m. and 02:38 a.m., respectively, about falling debris.

By 02:25 a.m., two Romanian Air Force F-16s were launched from the 86th Air Base to assess the situation. Radar systems tracked the drone’s path, noting its brief incursion into Romanian airspace before it returned to Ukraine, according to the Ministry.

Preliminary data suggests that drone debris may have landed in an uninhabited area near the town of Periprava. Ground and aerial reconnaissance teams from Romania’s Ministry of Defense have been investigating since early morning.

"The Ministry of Defense strongly condemns Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure, which are unjustified and a blatant violation of international law," stated Romania’s defense officials.

• On the night of September 8, Ukrainian forces shot down a Kh-59 guided missile and 15 Shahed-type drones launched by Russia.