Romania Probes Drone After Airspace Incursion

BUCHAREST-Romania has not yet determined the origin or purpose of a drone shot down over its airspace on Friday, with the country’s army chief saying it was too early to draw conclusions despite initial indications that it resembled an Iranian-designed Shahed drone.

Army Chief of Staff Gheorghita Vlad said fighter jet pilots who intercepted the unmanned aircraft reported that it appeared to be a Shahed-type drone based on its visual characteristics.

“Visually, the pilots reported the drone looked to be a Shahed type,” Vlad told reporters, while cautioning that authorities had not yet established either the drone’s origin or its intended mission.

Romanian authorities are continuing their assessment of the incident as they seek to identify the aircraft and determine the circumstances surrounding its incursion into the country’s airspace.

Romania, a NATO member bordering Ukraine, has previously reported incidents involving drones near its territory during Russia’s war in Ukraine. Friday’s incident remains under investigation, and officials have not attributed responsibility for the aircraft.