Romanian F-16 Fighter Jet Shoots Down What’s Believed To Have Been a Ukrainian Drone Over Estonia

TALLINN, Estonia (AP): A Romanian F-16 jet belonging to NATO air policing forces in the Baltics on Tuesday shot down what is believed to have been a Ukrainian drone over southern Estonia, authorities said. Given the trajectory of the drone, "we decided that we need to take it down," Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said. "Most probably, today we can say that it was (a) drone which was, let's say, meant to hit some Russian targets," he told The Associated Press. List of US Aircrafts Shot Down During Iran War 2026.

It was the latest in a string of incidents in recent months in which Ukrainian drones aimed at Russia have crossed or come down in NATO territory. Those incidents have come as Kyiv has steadily ramped up its drone raids, focusing on Russian energy facilities and arms factories. On Sunday, authorities in Russia said that one of the largest Ukrainian drone strikes on the country killed at least four people, including three near Moscow, and wounded a dozen others. US Pilot Rescued After Fighter Jet Shot Down in Iran; Helicopter Also Hit During Search.

Ukraine's ability to break through Russian air defenses reflect the growth in the number of its drones, along with its enhanced tactics. Estonia's defense minister said that Ukraine has been advised to be careful. "Our messages have not changed," Pevkur said. "We've said to the Ukrainians all the time that if you're attacking Russian positions or Russian targets, then these trajectories have to be as far from the NATO territory as possible."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 19, 2026 06:14 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).