NATO Jets Scramble as Russia Strikes Near Romanian Border in Ukraine

On August 18th, 2025, just two days before the current date of August 20th, 2025, Russia launched a series of significant strikes on Ukrainian oil and port facilities in the Izmail and Odesa regions, located near the Danube River which forms the border between Ukraine and the NATO member state of Romania.

The attacks, which occurred less than a mile from NATO territory, have raised serious concerns within the alliance. In response, the Romanian Air Force reported that two Typhoon aircraft belonging to the German Air Force, deployed to the 57th Air Base Mihail Kogălniceanu to carry out enhanced air policing missions, were scrambled to monitor the air situation in the border area with Ukraine.

This is the second time in just three days that allied planes have been scrambled in precautionary moves due to the intensity of the Russian strikes. The Romanian Ministry of National Defence's air surveillance system also detected groups of drones launched by Russia, which were attacking Ukrainian ports along the Danube River. However, no airborne vehicles were recorded entering Romanian airspace during the mission.

The Romanian Air Force statement emphasized that the close cooperation with allies in these enhanced air policing missions strengthens Romania's defense capability and contributes to the deterrence and defense posture on NATO's eastern flank.