Romanian military forces shot down two drones over the Black Sea on Sunday, marking the latest incident amid a series of attacks tied to the ongoing conflict stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The drones were detected and intercepted approximately 20 kilometers southeast of Sulina, a town near Romania’s coastline.

According to Defence Minister Radu Miruta, the first drone was identified entering Romanian airspace at 17:59 local time (14:59 GMT) and was downed within two minutes by Romanian Air Force F-16 fighter jets. The second drone was shot down at 18:05, roughly five minutes after it crossed into national airspace. Both interceptions were carried out by a pair of F-16 jets operating under the Defence Ministry.

This incident follows a spate of drone attacks targeting vessels navigating the Black Sea, including attacks off the coasts of both Romania and Bulgaria reported earlier in October. The most recent attack, which occurred on Thursday, resulted in seven crew members going missing off Romania’s shore.

Foreign Minister Acona Toiu emphasized the strategic importance of the Black Sea, stating on the social media platform X that the waterway is a critical corridor for the global export of grain, energy supplies, and industrial commodities. She underscored the need for continued stability in the region, noting that NATO plans to address the situation at the upcoming North Atlantic Council meeting on Tuesday.

The growing number of drone incursions and maritime attacks in the Black Sea reflects heightened regional tensions linked to the war in Ukraine, raising concerns about security for commercial shipping and international supply chains dependent on this key maritime route. Romanian officials have reiterated their commitment to safeguarding the nation’s airspace and maintaining the safety of vessels operating in the area.