Two drones enter Romanian airspace from the direction of Moldova during a Russian attack on Ukraine; four F-16s scrambled

On the evening of 31 October 2026 Romanian military radar detected two drones entering the country's airspace without authorisation in the north-east, from the direction of the Republic of Moldova. The Air Force scrambled four F-16s from Câmpia Turzii and Borcea and an IAR-330 helicopter; alerts were sent to residents of Iași, Neamț, Vaslui, Botoșani, Bacău and Suceava counties, and Iași airspace was briefly closed. One drone left Romanian airspace; the other was last seen between Vaslui and Bacău counties. No crash was reported. The incursion came as Russia launched 433 drones at Ukraine that night.

Established by. Romania's Ministry of National Defence (press release No. 352, 31 Oct 2026) reported the two unauthorised drones and the scramble; it did not name the drones' origin. Ukraine's Air Force reported 433 Russian drones launched at Ukraine from 18:00 on 31 October.

Latest. Alert measures ended at 19:19 local time on 31 October; the ministry said it continues to monitor the airspace and informs allied structures in real time.

Link to the war against Ukraine. Russian long-range drones attacking southern and western Ukraine have repeatedly crossed into Moldovan and Romanian airspace.