Romania launched fighter aircraft in response to a Russian drone that breached its airspace, according to a statement from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Telegram. Current data indicates the drone penetrated approximately 10 kilometers into Romanian territory and operated within the NATO member’s airspace for nearly 50 minutes. Zelensky noted that Poland also initiated a military response to Russian attack drones on the same day.
The Ukrainian president further asserted that, based on preliminary information, Russia used Belarusian airspace the previous day to enter Ukrainian airspace in the direction of Volyn. “The Russian army knows exactly where its drones are headed and for how long they can remain in flight. The routes are always calculated. This cannot be an accident, a mistake, or the amateurish actions of some lower-level commander. This is a deliberate expansion of the war by Russia,” Zelensky emphasized.
Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu condemned the violation, announcing on X that she will call on the UN General Assembly to ensure strict adherence to sanctions against Moscow. She stated that the Romanian Air Force intercepted a Russian drone violating national airspace near the Danube. Two F-16s from the 86th Air Base tracked the drone until it exited Romanian airspace 50 minutes later without causing damage or casualties, with two allied German Eurofighters on standby to monitor the situation.
Minister Țoiu assured the Romanian public was never in danger but called Russia’s actions “unacceptable and reckless.” She stated Romania “condemns Russia’s behavior and is taking all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty and security.” After explaining she is in constant contact with EU and NATO partners, the minister called to “effectively increase the cost of Russia’s blatantly illegal and provocative actions by swiftly adopting the 19th sanctions package and the full range of measures under NATO’s ‘Eastern Sentry’ operation.” She concluded, “I will also raise Russia’s actions at the UN General Assembly, urging rigorous international adherence to sanctions.”
On the Ground**
Russia’s Defense Ministry, cited by Tass, claimed its air defenses intercepted and destroyed 80 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones overnight over several Russian regions and the Sea of Azov. The reported interceptions occurred over Bryansk (30), Crimea (15), Smolensk (12), Kaluga (10), Novgorod (5), the Sea of Azov (3), Leningrad (2), Orël (1), Rjazan (1), and Rostov (1).
In Ukraine, forces have retaken control of the village of Filia in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, which was briefly occupied by Russian troops during an incursion into the region, according to Dnipro Operational Strategic Group spokesman Oleksii Bielskyi, as reported by the Kyiv Independent on September 13. As part of its summer offensive, Russia attempted to penetrate the previously unoccupied Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Units of the Ukrainian 425th Skelya Regiment restored control over Filia, Bielskyi stated.
Meanwhile, the Kirishi oil refinery in Russia’s Leningrad region was targeted by Ukrainian drones. The attack, confirmed by Commander of Ukraine’s Drone Forces Robert Brovdi on Telegram, struck one of Russia’s largest refineries, located over 800 km from the Ukrainian border. The facility, specializing in high-octane gasoline and various fuels with an annual output of 20 million tons, is a key element of Russia’s energy infrastructure. The regional governor, Alexander Drozdenko, stated three drones were shot down over Kirishi, but their debris caused a fire at the plant that was quickly extinguished without casualties.
Additionally, the Ukrainian Navy reported an attack earlier this week on a communications center for the Russian Black Sea Fleet in occupied Sevastopol. The strike, which allegedly occurred on the night of September 11, targeted a facility responsible for coordinating the fleet’s operations. Sevastopol has been the base of the Russian Black Sea Fleet since before the 2014 annexation of Crimea. Repeated Ukrainian attacks with naval drones, missiles, and long-range drones have forced the Kremlin to reduce its naval presence in the peninsula, with several Russian vessels destroyed. This reduction comes as Ukraine intensifies drone attacks on other Black Sea Fleet bases.
© Copyright ANSA – All Rights Reserved