Two RAF Typhoons have been scrambled from a Romanian air base to engage Russian drones close to Nato air space although did not fire or shoot any down.

British defence sources said the fighter jets did not enter Ukrainian airspace, contradicting reports that Russian drones had been shot down by the RAF there, an event which would have represented a major escalation in hostilities between the western alliance and Moscow.

Romanian officials reported that the Typhoons took off at 2am on Saturday in response to the drone threat, established radar contact on the targets and had authorisation to engage if necessary.

A shooting down of Russian drones inside Ukraine would be significant because it is not a member of Nato and the west has consistently refused to police its skies to avoid a direct confrontation with Russia.

The Typhoons are based in Romania as part of a rotating multinational Nato air mission to protect eastern European countries from Russian drone incursions that might spill over from the war in Ukraine.

The RAF Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft operated strictly within Romanian airspace in accordance with the national and allied rules of engagement, officials said, and did not enter Ukrainian airspace at any point during the mission.

A spokesperson from the Romanian defence ministry said the pilots had received authorisation to engage the drones if they were to breach Romanian airspace, which they didn’t. The mission therefore remained one of surveillance, deterrence, and readiness to respond if required.

“As indicated in the previous press releases, ground-based radar systems tracked multiple aerial targets approaching the area near Reni [Ukraine], where explosions were subsequently reported”, the spokesperson continued.

“After that moment, contact with the drones was lost. Half an hour later, residents of Galați [Romania] reported, through the single emergency service 112, the fall of an object in an area on the outskirts of the town.

“Allied aircraft maintained a defensive posture, contributing to enhanced situational awareness and the protection of Nato airspace.”

The UK Ministry of Defence has been approached for comment.