Romanian authorities launch probes into NATO drone interception and Black Sea vessel impact

NATO and Romanian authorities have launched investigations following two security incidents in and near Romanian territory. NATO confirmed that two Romanian F-16s and two Italian Eurofighters scrambled under alliance command to intercept a drone over Romania, adding that an investigation remains underway in close coordination with Bucharest.

In a separate incident on Thursday night, a Liberian-flagged merchant vessel carrying coal from the United States to Ukraine transmitted a distress signal while transiting Romania’s Exclusive Economic Zone near Sfântu Gheorghe. Romanian emergency services dispatched two patrol ships and a helicopter to assess the damage. Initial reports suggest the vessel may have suffered an impact with a sea mine or a maritime drone.

Sources: Digi24