Romanian Air Force pilot awarded after downing drone in Estonia
The Romanian Air Force pilot who shot down a drone that entered Estonian airspace was decorated by the leadership of the Ministry of National Defense with the 'Envoy for Peace' Emblem, 1st Class, during a working visit to the Siauliai Air Base in Lithuania, where the Carpathian Vipers detachment is deployed for Baltic Air Policing missions, the Ministry announced on Friday.
According to the Ministry, the delegation, which included acting Defense Minister Radu Miruta, Chief of Defense General Gheorghita Vlad, and Air Force Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Leonard Baraboi, met with the personnel of the Romanian detachment to review mission responsibilities, cooperation with allied forces, and the operational challenges specific to the Lithuanian deployment.
During a formal ceremony, the Defense minister presented the 1st Class 'Envoy for Peace' Emblem to the pilot who, on May 19, successfully engaged and neutralized a drone violating Estonian airspace.
'Behind that moment lie years of preparation, discipline, hundreds of flight hours, coordination, and an entire team that executed its mission flawlessly. My gratitude goes to the entire Carpathian Vipers detachment, to each of the nearly 100 Romanian troops serving here in Lithuania,' Miruta said.
He thanked allied partners for their daily cooperation and reaffirmed his full support for the deployed personnel.
'The Romanian Air Force is now on its fourth deployment in Lithuania. Since 2007, generations of Romanian airmen have contributed to protecting Baltic airspace and strengthening the Alliance's deterrence and defense posture. As Minister of National Defense, I will continue to ensure that the Romanian Armed Forces receive the equipment, technology and capabilities they need. Thank you for your professionalism and for the way you represent Romania here in Siauliai,' Miruta added.
On the sidelines of the visit, the Romanian minister held bilateral talks with his Lithuanian counterpart Robertas Kaunas, focusing on concrete security issues on NATO's Eastern Flank and the adaptation of defense capabilities to emerging threats.
Discussions centered on the development and integration of anti-drone capabilities on the Eastern Flank and the importance of operational cooperation among allied states. According to the Ministry, the Lithuanian official praised the professionalism of Romanian troops and the results achieved in Baltic airspace missions, including the recent drone interception, underscoring the value of shared experience and interoperability.
The two ministers also emphasized the need to maintain public support for defense efforts and to strengthen societal resilience amid the ongoing security challenges generated by Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
Another key topic was the intensification of propaganda and disinformation campaigns, a phenomenon Lithuania faces constantly and which affects other Eastern Flank states as well. In this context, Minister Miruta proposed placing on the agenda of the upcoming NATO Summit in Ankara a substantial discussion on disinformation as a major security risk, advocating for a coordinated approach among Eastern Flank and Baltic allies based on their operational experience and daily challenges. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Mihai Stoica; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)
The content of the www.agerpres.ro website has the exclusive purpose of public informing.
All the information published on this website by AGERPRES is protected by relevant legal dispositions.
It is forbidden to copy, reproduce, recompile, decompile, distribute, publish, display, modify, create derived components or products or full services, as well as any exploitation of the site's content.
Details in the section Terms of Use. If you are interested in picking up AGERPRES news items, please contact the Marketing Department – marketing@agerpres.ro.
The use of the Comments section entails your obligation to respect the AGERPRES terms and conditions in regards to the publishing of comments on the www.agerpres.ro.
Other news in category
Long Night of Museums: Central University Library offers guided tours, spotlight on great boyar families
As part of the Long Night of Museums, the 'Carol I' Central University Library will open its doors to the public on Saturday from 19:00 to midnight, offering Romanian- and English-language guided tours and a journey into the history of Romania's great boyar families, the institution announced. 'In a single evening, the public will have the oppo
FEATURE STORY/Thousands of Romanian, foreign pilgrims travel the Way of Faith to Sumuleu Ciuc Pentecost gathering
Pilgrims from Romania and abroad are streaming into Miercurea-Ciuc ahead of Saturday's Sumuleu Ciuc Pentecost pilgrimage - considered the largest Catholic procession of its kind in Central and Eastern Europe. Many have been on the road for days, some for weeks, and describe the journey as far more than a physical effort. Groups arrive on foot, on horseback
Botosani Tribunal rejects action against University of Bucharest regarding studies of President Nicusor Dan
The Botosani Tribunal rejected, on Friday, as unfounded, an action by former judge Lăcramioara Axinte, who asked the University of Bucharest to make public information regarding President Nicusor Dan's studies. The action against the University of Bucharest was opened in February of this year, the former magistrate invoking the provisions of Law 544/2001 i
Nazare: EC's spring forecast shows that economy needs well-targeted investments and reforms to support recovery
The interim Minister of Finance, Alexandru Nazare, participates on Friday and Saturday in the informal meeting of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN), where discussions will also take place regarding the importance of completing the negotiations on the revision of Romania's National Recovery and Resilience Plan, in order to secure the grant component
Craiova International Shakespeare Festival 2026 opens with Japan-themed events
The International Shakespeare Festival, organised by the 'Marin Sorescu' National Theatre and the Shakespeare Foundation, opened on Thursday evening in Craiova with a series of events dedicated to Japan, marking the start of the 21- 31 May edition. Speaking at the official opening, Japan's ambassador to Romania, Takashi Katae, said that the festiva
Only 5.2% of companies in Romania use AI, compared to European average of 20% (entrepreneur)
Only 5.2% of companies in Romania currently use technologies based on artificial intelligence (AI), compared to a European average of about 20%, while 66% of Romanian SMEs say they want to adopt such solutions, said Viorel Baltaretu, entrepreneur and former secretary of state in the Ministry of Economy, at a specialized debate on Friday. '5.2% is the perce
Interim PM Bolojan: The sooner Romania has a stable Government, the better
Interim Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan said on Friday that the sooner a stable Government is sworn in, the better, arguing that the political move initiated by the Social Democratic Party (PSD) 'irresponsibly,' 'with great fanfare,' several months earlier has led to a demobilisation of the government apparatus. He told a press conference that whet
Gyarfas Mansion in Cristuru Secuiesc, known for connection to Hungarian poet Petofi Sandor, restored on EU funds
The Gyarfas Mansion in Cristuru Secuiesc, a historic monument whose construction began in 1728, has been restored through a project financed under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), as part of the 'Attractive Romania' government programme. The building, owned by Cristuru Secuiesc Town Hall, is best known for its connection to Hungarian p
Interim PM Bolojan on SAFE programme: Romania will be a safer country
Interim Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan said that, through the signing of the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) agreement between Romania and the European Commission, the country will become safer, underlining that one of the programme's key objectives is to increase the national capacity to produce more in partnership with European industry. 'Yesterday, t
Industrial turnover down 2.1% in first quarter of 2026
Industrial turnover (domestic and external markets) fell in nominal terms by 2.1% in the first quarter of this year compared with the same period in 2025, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INS) data. The decline was driven by negative developments in the extractive industry (-4.5%) and the manufacturing industry (-2%). By major industrial grou
Defence Minister visits Romanian detachment 'Carpathian Vipers' deployed in Lithuania
A delegation from the Ministry of National Defence of Romania, led by Minister Radu Miruta, is on a working visit on Friday to the Romanian detachment 'Carpathian Vipers', deployed at the Siauliai Air Base in Lithuania. On the sidelines of the visit, Minister Radu Miruta will hold a bilateral meeting with his Lithuanian counterpart, Robertas Kaunas.
Custodian of the Crown Margareta: Romania has changed a lot over the past 35 years
The Custodian of the Romanian Crown, Margareta of Romania, said on Thursday evening that 'Romania has changed greatly' over the past 35 years, expressing her satisfaction that the Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation 'has also been part of this change'. 'This is an important moment for us, because this year marks 35 years of the Margareta
Doicesti small modular reactor project complies with international nuclear standards and validated by IAEA
The phased development of the small modular reactor (SMR) project in Doicesti fully observes the specific stages of a nuclear project, being independently validated through assessments by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and aligned with all norms and standards in the nuclear industry, Nuclearelectrica announced on Thursday. 'In Romania, the D
FEATURE/ Folk dance unites generations as 1,200 youngsters gather for traditional Miercurea-Ciuc event
Hurried footsteps, laughter and the repeated movements of folk dances echo through the corridors of the Culture House in Miercurea-Ciuc. Outside, a cold drizzle falls steadily, but inside, hundreds of children dressed in traditional costumes warm the atmosphere as they adjust their hats, boots and skirts before stepping onto the stage. Some are only a few year