A Geran drone used by the Russian Federation in attacks on Ukraine entered Romanian airspace on Saturday and was intercepted by two F-16 aircraft on a patrol mission in northern Dobrogea, the Ministry of National Defense (MApN) reported.

The pilots received authorization to shoot down the drone, but, at times when they had direct visual and radar contact, they assessed the collateral risks and decided not to open fire.

The drone orbited for approximately 50 minutes between Chilia Veche and Izmail, after which it left the national airspace near the town of Pardina, heading towards Ukraine.

In support of the Romanian aircraft, two German Eurofighter Typhoons deployed at Mihail Kogălniceanu also intervened, monitoring the area until 9:30 p.m.