NATO F-18 Shoots Down Drone Over Romania; Russia and Ukraine Exchange Strikes

NATO F-18 Shoots Down Drone

In an ongoing mission to protect airspace, an F-18 fighter jet engaged a drone that entered Romanian airspace illegally. This marks the fourth such incident reported by Romania’s defense ministry this year.

The NATO military headquarters spokesperson, U.S. Army Colonel Martin O’Donnell, emphasized NATO’s vigilance and readiness to respond to threats.

While investigation details are pending, early indications suggest the drone may be of Russian origin.

Romania, a NATO member sharing a 381-mile land border with Ukraine, has long reported airspace violations by Russian drones and mines in the Black Sea. Radar detected the drone coming from Moldova.

The F-18, part of a Spanish NATO deployment, engaged the drone at regulatory command, successfully neutralizing it over an uninhabited zone between two villages at 5:01 a.m.

Ukrainian Drones Target Moscow Region

Overnight, Ukrainian drones struck Moscow’s suburbs in what was reportedly one of the area’s most significant assaults, leaving at least one person dead, according to Moscow region Governor Andrei Vorobyov.

The attack resulted in the death of an 83-year-old man and injuries in Podolsk. Ukrainian forces targeted various sites, including a warehouse belonging to Russia’s largest online retailer, Wildberries. Another warehouse was impacted in Domodedovo, near a key Moscow airport.

Videos captured the substantial smoke from the damaged Wildberries logistics complex, 45 km south of Moscow.

Ukraine’s focus on Wildberries stems from allegations of its involvement in military goods distribution.

Russian Attacks on Kyiv

In response, Russian forces conducted early Sunday strikes on Kyiv with missiles and drones, resulting in fires across at least two districts, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko.

The strikes injured three individuals and triggered fire emergencies north of the city.

Witnesses confirmed explosions, and emergency relief operations were underway. Kyiv region Governor Tymur Tkachenko also reported regional injuries, including a child.

These events reflect a continuing pattern of intensive air attacks between Russia and Ukraine.