Romania Scrambles F-16s After Aerial Targets Detected Near Snake Island

BLACK SEA — On July 29 around 10:30 AM, the Romanian Ministry of Defense radar surveillance system detected a group of aerial targets flying 20 km northwest of Snake Island.

Two Romanian Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft conducting NATO-led enhanced Air Policing missions scrambled from Borcea 86th Air Base at 10:57 AM to monitor the situation and secure national airspace.

The National Military Command Center notified the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations, which issued a RO-Alert message for Tulcea County at 11:12 AM.

The aerial targets continued their flight path within Ukrainian airspace near the river border with Romania. Explosions were reported on the Ukrainian side. The air alert ceased at 11:30.

The Romanian Ministry of Defense maintains constant contact with Allied structures and monitors Romania’s airspace border in real time.

What Happened

• Around 10:30 AM on July 29, Romanian Ministry of National Defence radar detected a group of aerial targets 20 km northwest of Snake Island.

• Two Romanian Air Force F-16s conducting NATO-led enhanced Air Policing scrambled from Borcea 86th Air Base at 10:57 AM.

• National Military Command Center notified the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations; RO-Alert issued for Tulcea County at 11:12 AM.

• Targets continued flight within Ukrainian airspace near the river border with Romania; explosions reported on the Ukrainian side.

• Air alert ceased at 11:30.

Romanian Response and Border Monitoring

The Romanian Ministry of Defense stated that its radar surveillance system detected the targets and that the two F-16s scrambled to monitor the situation and secure national airspace.

The ministry noted that the targets remained in Ukrainian airspace near the river border. Explosions were reported on the Ukrainian side after the targets continued their path.

The air alert for the population ended at 11:30. The ministry maintains constant contact with Allied structures and monitors the airspace border in real time.

Official Statements

• Romanian Ministry of National Defence, Press release No. 152, July 29: “On Wednesday, July 29th, around 10:30 AM, the MoND radar surveillance system detected a group of aerial targets flying at a distance of 20 km northwest of Snake Island. Two Romanian Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft conducting NATO-led enhanced Air Policing missions scrambled from Borcea 86th Air Base at 10:57 AM to monitor the situation and secure the national airspace. In accordance with the standard operating procedures for such situations, the National Military Command Center notified the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations to initiate public alert measures for Tulcea County and a RO-Alert message was issued at 11:12 AM. The aerial targets continued their flight path within the Ukrainian airspace, near the river border with Romania. Subsequently, explosions were reported on the Ukrainian side. The air alert ceased at 11:30. The Ministry of National Defence maintains constant contact with the Allied structures and monitors Romania’s airspace border in real time.”