An F-16 aircraft of the Romanian Air Force, conducting Enhanced Air Policing missions in the Baltic airspace, shot down a lost drone in Estonian airspace on Tuesday.
Two F-16 aircraft from the Carpathian Vipers Detachment were scrambled into the air on Tuesday around 11:00 by the Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC) after a drone entered Estonian airspace.
The pilots identified the target and went through all the identification, engagement approval, and risk minimization procedures, after which they fired an air-to-air missile and downed a drone in Estonian airspace, as announced by the Ministry of National Defense.
Who is the pilot who shot down the drone
Interim Minister of Defense, Radu Miruţă, wrote on Facebook that "in the complex global fight against drones, a Romanian military pilot is the one who succeeded today."
"On an air policing mission in Lithuania on behalf of Romania, aboard a Romanian F16 fighter jet, Captain Commander Pavelescu Costel-Alexandru managed to target, engage, and bring down a drone that entered Estonian airspace.
I met Commander Pavelescu (the one in the photo) at the 86th Air Base in Feteşti and have since noticed his determination as a professional to demonstrate that from the cockpit of an F16, he would be able to shoot down such a target. Today he proved it," wrote Radu Miruţă.
"As a sign of appreciation for what Commander Pavelescu achieved today, I proposed the awarding of the Peace Emissary emblem, first class," added the interim Minister of Defense.
What is "Carpathian Vipers"
The "Carpathian Vipers" Detachment consists of approximately 100 soldiers and six F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft. It is currently based in Lithuania, at Šiauliai Air Base, and will ensure Enhanced Air Policing Service from April to July 2026.
The Romanian Air Force is on its fourth deployment in Lithuania, where they have ensured the protection of the airspace of the Baltic States and NATO, as mentioned by the MoND.
The first Air Policing mission was carried out from August to October 2007, with a detachment consisting of 67 soldiers and four MiG-21 LanceR aircraft from the 71st Air Base "General Emanoil Ionescu."
The second and third missions were conducted from April to July 2023 and April to July 2025, each with 100 soldiers and four F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft from the 86th Air Base "Lieutenant Aviator Gheorghe Mociorniță."
Estonia thanks Romania
Margus Tsahkna, the Estonian Foreign Minister, thanked Romania and all NATO allies in a message posted on X.
"Shooting down a drone that entered Estonian airspace clearly proves one thing: @NATO works. Romanian F-16 aircraft responded immediately from Šiauliai, demonstrating that the Allies are united and ready to defend every inch of NATO territory. Grateful to Romania and all our NATO partners for their swift action and solidarity," he wrote.
"Also, let's be clear: Ukraine has every right to target Russian military assets to weaken Russia's ability to wage aggression. These incidents are a direct result of Russia's war and provocations. Estonia is enhancing cooperation with Ukraine to enhance our air defense and drone combat capabilities," Tsahkna added.
The drone was likely Ukrainian
The Estonian Minister of Defense, Hanno Pevkur, provided more details about this incident. He explained that aerial radars and air force systems detected the possible threat, tracking the drone before it entered Estonian airspace, as reported by Delfi.
The Romanian aircraft shot down the drone between Lake Võrtsjärv and the town of Põltsamaa, and it fell in a marshy area. "We are currently continuing search operations," the minister stated, mentioning that the investigation is coordinated by the Estonian Internal Security Service (KAPO).
Pevkur mentioned that the drone that entered Estonia is likely of Ukrainian origin.
Estonia's Air Force Commander, Brigadier General Riivo Valge, stated that the target was visually identified before opening fire, and the first launched missile hit the drone.
Kyiv apologizes to Estonia
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused Moscow of intentionally redirecting Ukrainian drones into NATO territory and offered apologies for today's incident.
"We apologize to Estonia and all our Baltic friends for such unintended incidents," said the Ukrainian MFA spokesperson, Heorhii Tîhîi, as quoted by Kiev Independent.
Since March, several lost Ukrainian drones have entered the airspace of the Baltic states, NATO members, bordering Russia and its ally Belarus.
Kyiv has consistently maintained that the lost drones were launched to target military sites in Russia but were diverted by Russian interference.
Some of the drones crashed and exploded, including two drones that hit and caused a fire at a petroleum storage unit in Latvia on May 7.
The presence of drones in Latvian airspace led to a government crisis. Defense Minister Andris Spruds resigned after two Ukrainian drones entered Latvia from Russia and hit petroleum storage units.