Spanish NATO fighter jet intercepts and destroys Russian drone over Romania
A Spanish F-18 jet, part of a NATO air policing mission, shot down a Russian drone that crossed into Romanian airspace at 5:00 AM on Sunday. NATO officials believe the drone was part of the large-scale Russian wave targeting Ukraine that drifted off course. The interception occurred near the Romanian border in the Dobruja region. This represents a rare direct kinetic engagement by NATO forces against a Russian asset during a violation of alliance territory.
Date: August 16, 2026
Location: Dobruja, Romania
Conflict: Russia-Ukraine War
Category: border crossing
Severity: HIGH
Source: The Guardian