Two Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons were scrambled from the Fetesti airbase in Romania
RAF fighter jets on a NATO patrol have for the first time shot down Russian drones over Ukrainian territory.
Two Royal Air Force Eurofighters were scrambled from Romania as Vladimir Putin’s forces launched attacks on ports along the River Danube in Ukraine.
The crew engaged and downed the Russian drones in Ukrainian airspace, according to the Romanian Ministry of National Defence. The strike over Ukraine, aimed at safeguarding NATO member state Romania, marks a significant new development in the four-year conflict.
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It came as Russia’s relentless overnight assault on Ukraine prompted NATO to scramble warplanes from both Romania and Poland.
“On the morning of Saturday, April 25, Russian forces resumed drone attacks on civilian and infrastructure targets in Ukraine, near the river border with Romania, in Tulcea County,” said the Bucharest statement, reports the Mirror.
“MApN radars detected drones flying near Romanian airspace. Two Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft of the British Air Force from the Reinforced Air Police combat service took off at 02:00 from the 86th Air Base in Fetești.
“The National Military Command Centre notified IGSU [General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations] regarding the establishment of measures to alert the population in the localities of Grindu and Isaccea, in Tulcea County, and at 02:14, a RO-ALERT message was transmitted.
“The Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft had radar contact with a target located 1.5 km from Reni, above Ukrainian territory. The pilots had authorisation to engage the drones.” The statement said multiple explosions were reported in Reni, Ukraine. It did not explicitly state how many drones were brought down by the RAF. There were reports of falling debris from drones over Romanian territory. “No casualties were reported,” it added.
Romania condemned the Putin regime over its strikes on the Odesa region — with targets just half a mile from NATO territory across the Danube.
“The Ministry of National Defence firmly condemns the irresponsible actions of the Russian Federation and emphasises that they represent a new challenge to regional security and stability in the Black Sea area,” said the report.
Such incidents highlight the Russian Federation’s disregard for the norms of international law and endanger not only the safety of Romanian citizens, but also the collective security of NATO.
“Romania remains firmly committed to fulfilling its obligations as a member state of the Alliance and will continue to work closely with partners and allies to monitor and defend national airspace.”
In Poland, French fighter jets backed by Dutch armed forces operating under the NATO alliance were scrambled as Russia unleashed a barrage of missiles and drones on Ukraine.
“Poland raised military aircraft due to the activity of long-range Russian aviation, which carried out missile strikes on Ukraine,” said a statement from air force operational command. Ferocious Russian strikes demolished a four-storey apartment block in Dnipro, leaving at least two dead and more than 20 injured. A further five people are feared to be trapped beneath the rubble.
The city endured bombardment for over ten hours, with strikes also hitting the Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Kyiv, and Cherkasy regions. In Bila Tserkva [Kyiv region], a significant blaze broke out amid thick smoke, with residents urged to keep their windows shut.
In one of the most intense overnight assaults of the conflict, Russia unleashed a wave of missile and drone strikes on Ukraine. The attack comprised 47 missiles, of which 30 were intercepted. A total of 580 out of 619 drones were either shot down or suppressed.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian drones travelled vast distances of more than 1,100 miles to strike major Russian cities in the Ural Mountains for the first time. The Kremlin was rattled by hits deep within its territory, with long-range unmanned aircraft targeting the key hubs of Yekaterinburg and Chelyabinsk.
Liutyi drones struck an elite high-rise tower in Yekaterinburg, likely after being engaged by air defences. Windows on the upper floors were shattered and smoke was seen billowing from the building. More than 50 residents were evacuated from the multi-storey block, with numerous flats sustaining damage. At least six people were injured.
Reports indicate that Ukrainian long-range drones targeted the Chelyabinsk Higher Military Aviation School of Navigation in Chelyabinsk. Unconfirmed reports also emerged of explosions near the strategically significant Chelyabinsk Metallurgical Plant.
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