Romania expels Russian diplomat after three drone shoot‑downs

Romania Russian diplomat drone incursions F‑16 shoot‑down EU/NATO response

Between July 24 and July 27 2026 three Russian drones entered Romanian airspace and were shot down by Romanian F‑16 fighter jets. The incidents prompted Bucharest to summon Russia’s ambassador, present recovered drone fragments as evidence, and expel a Russian embassy staff member, declaring him persona non grata and giving him five days to leave the country.

Russia’s foreign ministry rejected the accusations, called the incidents staged, and warned of a “proper response.” The European Union and NATO condemned the repeated violations, describing them as a serious escalation that threatens regional security. Since the war in Ukraine began, 33 Russian drones have intruded on Romanian airspace, with 19 recorded in 2026, including a May 29 crash in Galaţi that injured a woman and a child.

Romanian defence minister Radu Miruță confirmed the drones were of Russian origin, while Ukraine‑related drone activity continues to spill over Romania’s borders, prompting heightened NATO and EU scrutiny of the country’s air‑defence posture.

Entities

European Union · F‑16 fighter jet · NATO · Nicușor Dan · North Atlantic Treaty Organization · Oana Toiu · Radu Miruta · Romania · Romanian Air Force · Romanian Ministry of National Defence · Russia · Russian Federation

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 9 SOURCES] President Nicușor Dan summoned Russia’s ambassador in Bucharest and issued a diplomatic protest. brusselssignal.eu · razydzisiaj.pl · www.actualno.com · focuspress.ro · ziardesuceava.ro · +1 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] Each AIM‑9X missile used to shoot down a drone costs about $400,000, totalling $1.2 million for three drones.
[● 2 SOURCES] Two Romanian F‑16 fighter jets were scrambled to monitor the 27 July drone. www.actualno.com
[● 4 SOURCES] Romania passed a law in 2025 authorising the military to destroy drones that breach its airspace. www.actualno.com · brusselssignal.eu
[● 2 SOURCES] The drone shot down on 24 July was identified as a Russian‑made Shahed model. brusselssignal.eu
[● 5 SOURCES] Three Russian drones were shot down by Romanian F‑16s on 24, 25 and 26 July 2026. brusselssignal.eu · www.velvetnews.it
[● 4 SOURCES] Romania has recorded 33 incursions of Russian drones since the war began in 2022. brusselssignal.eu · www.actualno.com · razydzisiaj.pl
[● 2 SOURCES] A Russian drone entered Romanian airspace on 27 July 2026 before crossing into Ukraine. www.actualno.com
[● 4 SOURCES] Two Romanian F‑16 fighter jets were scrambled on 27 July 2026 to monitor a drone that briefly entered Romanian airspace. razydzisiaj.pl · www.actualno.com
[● 4 SOURCES] Romania has the option to invoke Article 4 of the NATO treaty. focuspress.ro · zonanews.bg
[● 6 SOURCES] Prosecutors confirmed that the downed drones were of Russian origin. ziardesuceava.ro · telegraph.md
[● 8 SOURCES] Romania declared a Russian embassy staff member persona non grata and gave a five‑day deadline to leave the country. www.sursazilei.ro · ziardesuceava.ro