Tensions escalated near the Romania-Ukraine border as a Russian drone briefly entered Romanian airspace during a wave of drone attacks targeting Ukrainian infrastructure.
Sending 4 Fighter Jets
The Romanian Ministry of Defense (MApN) confirmed that the incursion occurred on the night of September 27th, while Russian forces carried out attacks on Ukrainian civilian and port infrastructure along the Chilia branch of the Danube River.
Romanian and Spanish Air Forces immediately responded to the potential threat.
"For monitoring the situation, two F-16 aircraft from the Romanian Air Force and two F-18 jets from the Spanish Air Force were dispatched," the Ministry of Defense announced, according to Ziare.
The jets patrolled the region between 1:52 AM and 4:00 AM, while radar systems confirmed that the drone briefly crossed into Romanian airspace for less than three minutes around 3:00 AM.
Debris Could Land on Romanian Territory
Although no impact zones or drone debris have been reported on Romanian soil, authorities have been conducting aerial and ground investigations to ensure the area is secure.
According to Ziare the Ministry of Defense said: “From the available data at this moment, no impact zone has been identified on national territory.”
The Inspectoratul General pentru Situaţii de Urgenţă (ISU) issued a RO-Alert to residents in the northern region of Tulcea County, urging them to remain calm and follow safety guidelines in case any objects fell from the sky.
They added that “while there is no indication of Romanian targets being hit, it is possible that debris from Ukrainian counterattacks could land on Romanian territory."
The ISU also reassured citizens that, despite the proximity of the Russian attacks to the Romanian border, there are no known threats to Romania itself. The public was encouraged to stay vigilant and report any unusual sightings or concerns via the national emergency number.
