On July 26, 2026, a Romanian F-16 fighter jet shot down a drone over the Black Sea five minutes after it entered Romanian airspace. This was the third drone shot down in as many days. Investigations identified the first drone, shot down on July 24, as a Shahed model used by Russia in its war with Ukraine. Further investigations into the drones shot down on July 25 and 26 were ongoing. Romania has summoned Russia's ambassador over these repeated airspace violations. These incidents are part of frequent drone incursions into Romanian airspace since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Romania adopted a law in 2025 allowing the shooting down of drones violating its airspace. Previous incidents include a drone hitting an apartment building in Galati on the Ukraine border in May 2026, wounding two people, and a Ukrainian naval drone exploding in the Romanian Black Sea port of Constanta without casualties. Increased Russian attacks on the Odesa region put pressure on Black Sea energy and trade routes.

On July 26, 2026, a Romanian F-16 fighter jet shot down a drone over the Black Sea five minutes after it entered Romanian airspace. This was the third drone shot down in as many days. Investigations identified the first drone, shot down on July 24, as a Shahed model used by Russia in its war with Ukraine. Further investigations into the drones shot down on July 25 and 26 were ongoing. Romania has summoned Russia's ambassador over these repeated airspace violations. These incidents are part of frequent drone incursions into Romanian airspace since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Romania adopted a law in 2025 allowing the shooting down of drones violating its airspace. Previous incidents include a drone hitting an apartment building in Galati on the Ukraine border in May 2026, wounding two people, and a Ukrainian naval drone exploding in the Romanian Black Sea port of Constanta without casualties. Increased Russian attacks on the Odesa region put pressure on Black Sea energy and trade routes.