Why did Russian drone enter Romania? Ukrainian official points to one unusual clue
Photo: Yurii Ihnat, Head of the Communications Department of the Ukrainian Air Force
On July 24, a Russian drone equipped with remote control channels entered Romanian airspace. According to Yurii Ihnat, Head of the Communications Department of the Ukrainian Air Force, this could indicate a deliberate Russian provocation targeting a NATO member.
He commented on Russia's attack on Ukraine overnight on July 24. According to Ihnat, several new features were observed.
"The enemy is using not only classic UAVs with internal combustion engines and Parodiya decoys. The share of jet-powered UAVs has also increased. This share can reach 20–30% of the total number of drones. This is another challenge for us. These are targets that must be intercepted by appropriate means, as they require interception either by aircraft or by surface-to-air missile systems," Ihnat stressed.
Moreover, the enemy has begun using attack drones equipped with remote control channels. In practice, this means that an operator can change the drone's direction and target in real time.
Importantly, such drones often attack moving targets, including locomotives and vehicles.
"And today, one such drone with mesh networking crossed the state border somewhere near Vylkove and entered Romania. Fighter jets were scrambled there, and the president has already said it was shot down. If it was indeed equipped with remote control channels, it also raises the question of whether the Russians are deliberately directing these drones into NATO countries," Ihnat concluded.
On July 24, it became known that Romania had shot down a Russian drone that entered its airspace for the first time.
It also emerged that one NATO country is reshaping its military based on the experience of the war in Ukraine.
