01 March 2025
(Wreckage of a drone found in Romania. Photo: border.gov.md)
A group of experts from the Ministry of National Defense, the Romanian Intelligence Service and the Ministry of Internal Affairs identified fragments of a drone that were found on the territory of the country after the Russian attack in Odesa region on February 28.
It turned out that the drone was Russian and had an explosive charge, which was detonated on the spot by Romanian sappers, Digi24 reports.
The site is located about 500 meters from the border with the Republic of Moldova, in a non-urban area, without any infrastructure.
Earlier, the Romanian Senate passed two bills that allow shooting down drones that violate the country's airspace, as well as conducting military missions and operations on its territory in peacetime. This is the final decision, as the Senate was the last instance to consider these documents.
During Russia's massive attacks on Ukraine, enemy targets often cross the border with Romania and explode on its territory. In 2024, the Romanian Ministry of Defense scrambled two Romanian F-16s and two Spanish F-18s on the morning of October 19 because of a "small air target" violating the border. On October 19, Russians fired missiles at Odesa and hit the city's private sector, causing a fire.
On Thursday, October 17, Romania also scrambled four fighter jets after an unknown target crossed its airspace.
At the end of September, the wreckage of a Shahed attack drone was once again found on the territory of the Romanian community opposite Ukraine's Izmail on the Danube.
In early September, a group of Russian Shahed attack drones violated Romanian airspace on the evening of September 7, which led to warnings to residents of Tulcea and Constanta counties about the risk of objects falling from the airspace.
In particular, in July 2024, alleged wreckage of downed drones used by Russia to attack the south of Odesa region was found in Romania. They were found near the village of Plauru, on the Romanian coast opposite Izmail. The day before, the Russians attacked the border with attack drones, and Izmail district of Odesa region was under attack.
Кирило Бойко