NATO jets scrambled after aerial target near Romania-Ukraine border

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 17 Oct, 07:57 · Archive

NATO fighter jets were scrambled after an unidentified aerial target was detected near Romania's border with Ukraine.

NATO fighter jets were scrambled in the early hours after an unidentified aerial target was detected close to Romania's border with Ukraine. Two Spanish F-18 aircraft took off from the 57th Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base in south-eastern Romania in response. Residents in Tulcea County, which borders Ukraine, received an emergency alert message at 1:54am warning of the potential threat.

Romania's defence ministry confirmed that no violation of Romanian airspace was reported. The air alert was lifted at 2:30am. The jets are part of NATO's Reinforced Air Police combat service stationed at the base.

This was the second time in a week that Spanish fighter jets were scrambled in response to an aerial target detected near Romania's border. On 10 October, an unidentified target was detected in Ukrainian airspace about 12 miles north of Periprava, a village in north-east Romania, and a similar response was deployed. NATO's air policing mission aims to strengthen air defences along the eastern edge of the alliance amid continued fighting in Ukraine.

How it is being reported

• NATO fighter jets scrambled as mystery 'aerial target' spotted near European borderNATO fighter jets were scrambled in the early hours after an unidentified aerial target was detected close to Romania's border with Ukraine. Two Spanish F-18 aircraft took off from an air base in south-eastern Romania as authorities issued an alert to residents living near the border. People in Tulcea County were woken by an emergency message shortly before 2am, warning of the potential threat. Romania's defence ministry later confirmed that no violation of the country's airspace had been reported, with the alert lifted at 2.30am. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say This is a breaking story…GB News · 17 Oct, 07:41
• NATO fighter jets scrambled as 'aerial target' spotted heading straight at EuropeTwo F-18 aircraft from the Spanish Air and Space Forces were launched after an aerial target was seen moving over the territory of Ukraine, towards the border with RomaniaThe Mirror · 17 Oct, 07:15

In this story: NATO · Romania · Ukraine · Spain · Tulcea County · 57th Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base · Periprava

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