Two RAF Eurofighter Typhoons were scrambled from Romania as Putin’s forces launched a brutal drone attack on Ukrainian ports, with NATO taking historic action to protect its airspace
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 dispatched from Romania as Vladimir Putin’s forces launched attacks on ports along the River Danube in Ukraine.
The Romanian Ministry of National Defence confirmed that the crew engaged and destroyed the Russian drones within Ukrainian airspace. This strike over Ukraine, aimed at safeguarding NATO member Romania, marks a new chapter in the four-year conflict.
This development follows Russia’s ruthless overnight assaults on Ukraine, which 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,” read the statement from Bucharest.
“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.”
A statement has reported multiple explosions in Reni, Ukraine, without specifying the number of drones downed by the RAF. Reports of falling debris from drones over Romanian territory have also emerged. “No casualties were reported,” it added.
Romania has strongly criticised Putin’s regime for its attacks 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,” the report stated.
Such incidents highlight the Russian Federation’s disregard for international law norms, posing a threat not only to the safety of Romanian citizens but also to NATO’s collective security.
“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 fighters, backed by the Dutch armed forces operating as part of the NATO alliance, were scrambled as Russia launched 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,” an air force operational command statement revealed.
A devastating barrage of Russian strikes levelled a four-storey apartment complex in Dnipro, claiming the lives of at least two individuals and injuring over 20. Fears remain that five more people may be buried under the rubble.
The city endured a relentless siege lasting over ten hours, while other regions, including Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Kyiv, and Cherkasy, also came under fire. In Bila Tserkva, located in the Kyiv region, a massive blaze erupted, spewing thick smoke and prompting residents to seal their windows.
In one of the most intense overnight assaults since the conflict began, Russia unleashed a barrage of missile and drone strikes against Ukraine. This onslaught included 47 missiles, of which 30 were successfully intercepted, and 580 out of 619 drones were either shot down or neutralised.
Concurrently, Ukrainian drones embarked on a monumental journey, covering over 1,100 miles to launch unprecedented attacks on major Russian cities in the Ural Mountains. The Kremlin reeled from the impact of these long-range unmanned aircraft, which targeted key hubs in Yekaterinburg and Chelyabinsk.
The Liutyi drones struck an elite high-rise tower in Yekaterinburg, possibly after being intercepted by air defences, shattering windows on the upper floors and releasing smoke. Over 50 people were evacuated from the multi-storey building, with several apartments sustaining damage and at least six individuals injured.
According to reports, the Ukrainian drones also targeted the Chelyabinsk Higher Military Aviation School of Navigation in Chelyabinsk. Furthermore, unconfirmed reports emerged of explosions near the strategically important Chelyabinsk Metallurgical Plant, a key military supplier.