A drone was intercepted and shot down by a Spanish F-18 aircraft after it entered the national airspace of Romania, near Galați.

According to the Ministry of National Defense (MApN), the drone was detected at 04:44, entering Romanian airspace, 24 km north of Galați. Following this detection, two Spanish F-18 fighter jets, on a preventive mission, were authorized to engage.

At 05:01, the drone was intercepted and shot down under safe conditions, and a possible impact point of the debris was identified between the localities of Băleni and Cudalbi, in an unpopulated area.

The interim Minister of Defense, Radu Miruță, congratulated the Spanish pilots and Romanian military for their quick response.

The air alert for Galați County was lifted at 05:20.

Miruță emphasized the importance of national security and the solidarity of allies in defending Romania, stating that the country is on the front line of the European Union's defense.

MApN will provide additional details as they become available.