Ukrainian Air Defense Shoots Down Russian Drone Near Chilia Veche, Tulcea County

Summary

On the morning of 26 February 2026, Ukrainian air defense shot down a Russian drone near Chilia Veche, Tulcea County, Romania, just 100 meters from the locality. Two F-16 fighters from Fetești Air Base were scrambled after the drone was detected on radar.

On 26 February 2026, Ukrainian air defense forces detected and shot down a Russian drone flying northwards over Tulcea County, Romania, near the locality of Chilia Veche, at a distance of only 100 meters. Prior to the shootdown, two F-16 fighter jets from Romania's Fetești Air Base were scrambled shortly after 08:45 local time to intercept the drone following its radar detection. Ukrainian sources confirmed contact with the drone's radar at 9 km from Chilia Veche, and the drone was destroyed by Ukrainian air defense systems about 100 meters from the locality. Specialized teams are prepared to search for any debris on Romanian territory to avoid further incidents. Earlier in the day and previous days, Russian drones and air incursions were reported in the area, prompting alerts and raising concerns. Ukrainian authorities also reported rocket attacks by Russia on ports and civilian infrastructure in the Odesa region, causing casualties and damage. Romanian authorities issued RO ALERT warnings to the local population due to aerial threats. The incident underscores heightened tensions and the risk of spillover of conflict into Romanian airspace near its border with Ukraine.

Evidence

"The radar systems of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense detected a drone in Ukrainian airspace moving north towards Tulcea County at 08:45, prompting emission of a RO-Alert to the population. Two F-16 Fighter Falcons from Fetești Air Base took off at 09:04 to monitor the airspace. Minutes later, contact radar confirmed presence at 9 km from Chilia Veche, and the drone was shot down by Ukrainian air defense systems 100 meters from the locality," stated the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.
"Specialized teams are ready to start a search operation for any debris of the drone that may have fallen on Romanian territory, as the shootdown took place very close to the border," said Romanian authorities.
"Alert Extreme: There is the possibility of falling objects from the surrounding airspace. Keep calm! Take shelter in basements or civil protection shelters. If none available, stay inside away from windows and exterior walls. Estimated duration: 90 minutes," read the official RO-Alert message issued by Romanian authorities.
"The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense is constantly monitoring the air space, in close cooperation with NATO to ensure security of Romanian airspace," the Romanian Ministry added.
"Earlier, around 18:00, two Eurofighter Typhoon jets from German and Spanish Air Forces based in Konigslautern were scrambled following observation of an unidentified aircraft entering Romanian airspace near Sulina," the report confirmed.
"Two people, including a child, were injured during Russian missile strikes in the port of Odesa, including damages to fuel reserves, hospital, and residential buildings," according to Ukrainian reports.

Classification

Confidence: High

The event clearly describes a hostile Russian drone incursion into Ukrainian airspace near the Romanian border and the Ukrainian air defense shooting down the drone, with Romanian military also scrambled and civilian alerts issued, demonstrating an aggressor action (Russian drone) and defensive response by Ukraine and Romania.