Ukrainian Air Force Pilot Flees to Romania

Update: The story about the Ukrainian fighter fleeing to Romania has been confirmed.

I can't judge the pilot for trying to save himself, but it makes for very effective Russian propaganda.

— Clint Ehrlich (@ClintEhrlich) February 24, 2022

Avion militar ucrainean, interceptat și aterizat la Bacău
2 aeronave F-16 Fighting Falcon ale Forțelor Aeriene Române au decolat în jurul orei 6.15, pentru clarificarea unei situații aeriene referitoare la un zbor neautorizat în partea de nord a României.https://t.co/ICdS1wARQC pic.twitter.com/eKgTsFChtr

— MApN (@MApNRomania) February 24, 2022

Do you really need to put it out here?

— DianaHerodias(Oh!) (@HerodiasDiana) February 24, 2022

Ukrainian military plane, intercepted and landed in Bacau

On Thursday, February 24, two F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft of the Romanian Air Force in the NATO Air Command combat service took off around 6.15 am, to clarify an air situation regarding an unauthorized flight in the northern part of Romania, approaching the national airspace.

The two Romanian military aircraft strictly applied the national procedures and international rules applicable in such situations, proceeding to the interception and visual identification of the aircraft that had entered the Romanian airspace.

The aircraft, a Sukhoi 27 belonging to the Ukrainian Air Force, was escorted for immediate landing at Bacau Air Base 95, which ended at 07.05.

After landing, the Ukrainian military pilot made himself available to the Romanian authorities, and the legal measures required in these situations will be taken.

We will return with details on this topic as they become available.

Regarding the security situation in Ukraine, the Romanian Army has activated the military command points with responsibilities in monitoring the situation and coordinating the forces and means for concrete situations that may arise.

The leadership of the Ministry of National Defense has taken all the necessary response measures, both those directly incumbent on the institution and those in support of the other components of the national security system, according to the interinstitutional cooperation plans, drawn up in advance.

Russian military claims that Ukrainian troops are surrendering en masse.

It offers safe passage to all Ukrainian troops who lay down their arms.

Assures them they will not be attacked if they give up now.

— Clint Ehrlich (@ClintEhrlich) February 24, 2022

The mood on Russian TV is euphoric.

I do not recall American war coverage like this, even during the Iraq Invasion.

So much laughter. Such big smiles.

As someone who has tried hard to present the Russian perspective to Americans, I'm grossed out.

— Clint Ehrlich (@ClintEhrlich) February 24, 2022

Russian TV is boasting that the attack on Ukraine was precisely coordinated with President Putin's speech.

The moment he said, "I have approved a special military operation," the strikes supposedly began.

— Clint Ehrlich (@ClintEhrlich) February 24, 2022