Romania Scrambles Eurofighter Jets and Issues Alerts Following Drone Detection Near Ukrainian Border

Romania scrambled fighter jets and issued three emergency alerts on March 13, 2026, after radar systems detected potential airspace breaches by drones near the Ukrainian border. The Romanian Ministry of National Defence (MoND) reported that aerial targets were identified north of Tulcea County in the Chilia-Vâlcov area around 10:00 AM. In response, two Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft were deployed from the Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base to monitor the situation. The incident occurred following Russian drone strikes targeting Ukrainian port infrastructure along the Danube River. Authorities confirmed that the military aircraft were scrambled to ensure the surveillance of national airspace after the detection of the unidentified objects. Romania has faced multiple instances of drone debris falling on its territory since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. These incidents have primarily occurred in the Danube Delta region, which serves as a natural border between the two countries. In response to previous breaches, Romania has increased its surveillance capabilities and deployed additional anti-drone systems in Tulcea County. NATO has also reinforced its presence at the Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base to support air policing efforts in the Black Sea region.

Residents in northern Tulcea County received a total of three RO-Alert messages within a span of a few hours on Friday. The warnings advised the population to remain calm and take protective measures due to the possibility of objects falling from the airspace. Local authorities specifically targeted the Chilia Veche-Vâlcove area, which is situated in the immediate vicinity of the border. The Ministry of National Defence emphasized that the measures were preventative and intended to ensure the safety of civilians during the kinetic activity across the border. No impact on Romanian soil was confirmed in the immediate aftermath of the radar detections. „Sistemul de supraveghere radar al Armatei României a indicat, în jurul orei 10.00, ținte aeriene în zona de nord a județului Tulcea” (The radar surveillance system of the Romanian Army indicated, around 10:00 AM, aerial targets in the area north of Tulcea County) — Ministry of National Defence via HotNews.ro

The military response involved the 57th Air Base, which serves as a critical hub for Romanian and allied air operations in the Dobruja region. The Eurofighter Typhoon jets conducted patrols to verify if any of the detected targets had crossed into Romanian sovereign territory. This latest escalation follows a pattern of increased aerial activity near the Danube Delta as Russian forces continue to strike Ukrainian grain export hubs. Romanian officials have maintained close communication with NATO allies regarding the monitoring of the border zone. The Ministry of National Defence continues to analyze radar data to determine the exact nature and trajectory of the detected targets. Airspace Incident Timeline March 13, 2026: — ; — ; — ; —