Additional Coverage:
German Fighter Jets Scrambled After Russian Drone Attack Near Romanian Border
Tensions flared Tuesday night as Russian drones targeted Ukrainian infrastructure along the Danube River, prompting a swift response from NATO. Two German Typhoon fighter jets, stationed in Romania as part of NATO’s Enhanced Air Policing mission, were scrambled to monitor the situation near the Romanian-Ukrainian border.
Romania’s Defense Ministry confirmed the jets were deployed to the north of Tulcea County after their aerial surveillance system detected groups of Russian drones heading towards Ukrainian ports. While the drones did not enter Romanian airspace, the incident underscores the precarious security situation along NATO’s eastern flank.
Ukraine reported a massive barrage overnight, with 93 drones and two ballistic missiles launched by Russia. According to Ukrainian officials, their air defenses successfully neutralized 62 drones and one missile, though impacts were recorded across 20 locations. The attack on Izmail, a key Ukrainian port city on the Danube, resulted in fires and at least one injury.
This latest incident follows a pattern of Russian attacks near NATO borders, with previous strikes resulting in Russian munitions or debris landing in NATO member states like Romania, Lithuania, and Latvia, as well as neighboring Moldova. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated his call for increased pressure on Moscow, emphasizing the need for stronger sanctions and tariffs until diplomatic solutions prevail. He also expressed gratitude to Ukraine’s international partners for their ongoing support in the face of Russian aggression.
Russia’s Defense Ministry, meanwhile, claimed its forces downed 43 Ukrainian drones overnight. Several Russian airports temporarily restricted flights during the strikes, according to Russia’s federal air agency.