The United States has sent its F-16 fighter jets to Romania to further enhance NATO air policing in the Black Sea region.

The announcement was made by the press service of the North Atlantic Alliance.

This happened after the wreckage of Russian drones was recently found in Romania.

Four U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter jets arrived at Fetesti Air Base in Romania on September 22, 2023.

“I welcome the United States’ deployment of additional F-16 fighter jets to NATO’s air policing mission in Romania,” said acting NATO Spokesperson Dylan White.

According to him, “this sends a clear signal that we will protect every Ally.”

“As Russia continues its brutal war of aggression against Ukraine, we have seen a number of strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure very close to NATO territory. We remain vigilant and in close contact with Allies in the region,” added acting NATO Spokesperson.

As previously reported, Romania has recently recorded several incidents of drones crashing during Russian attacks in southern Ukraine.

UAV crash in Romania

Earlier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reported that during the Russian shelling of port infrastructure on the Danube on the night of Monday, September 4, Russian Shahed drones crashed and exploded in neighboring Romania.

The Romanian Defense Ministry did not initially confirm the information. In fact, Romania denied the incident. Only a few days later, the Romanian Defense Minister admitted that fragments similar to the wreckage of a drone were found near the banks of the Danube on the Romanian side. They were found near the village of Plauru, on the territory of the Tulcea community, across from the Ukrainian town of Izmail.

On September 13, Romania discovered new wreckage on its territory, presumably from Russian drones. The wreckage, which was scattered several tens of meters, was found near the towns of Nufăru and Victoria in Tulcea County.

Following the incident, Romania also built shelters for civilians living in settlements near the Ukrainian border on the banks of the Danube River.