Romania downs drone in its airspace for first time since war began
Why it matters: The incident marks a new escalation on NATO's eastern flank after repeated drone incursions linked to the war in Ukraine.
A Romanian F-16 shot down a drone after it entered the country's airspace Friday, the first time Romania has destroyed an aircraft during a breach tied to the war next door. President Nicusor Dan said the pilot fired around 11 a.m. over an uninhabited area, and the Defence Ministry said the drone came down near Padina in Buzau county. Military officials have not identified its origin or mission, but army chief Gen. Gheorghita Vlad said pilots believed it looked like a Shahed-type drone, the Iranian design Russia has used extensively against Ukraine. Two Romanian F-16s and two Italian Eurofighter Typhoons were scrambled. Debris landed in a wheat field, with no injuries or damage reported.