Russian UAVs flew to Romania during the attack on Ukraine: Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces
On the night of September 8, a group of Russian drones that attacked the southern regions of Ukraine entered the airspace of Romania. This was reported by the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine at 2:49 a.m Telegram channels. The Ukrainian military confirmed that the drones had a strike purpose.
After 10 minutes, the Air Force added that the drones had already reached the area of the Romanian village of Sabandjia, which is about 30 km from the nearest border with Ukraine. This raised concerns as the drone attack affected the NATO member’s airspace, adding to tensions between Russia and the West.
Later, the Armed Forces reported the departure of one of the drones from the territory of Romania. According to the Ukrainian military, the drone flew over the Ukrainian city of Vylkove and continued over the coastal waters of the Odesa region, indicating that Russian attacks in southern Ukraine are continuing with the use of drones, even after they enter the airspace of neighboring countries.
This is not the first time that Russian drones launched by Russia violate Romanian airspace. In particular, on the night of December 14, 2023, the radar surveillance system of the Romanian army recorded the unauthorized entry of a drone into the territory of Romania at low altitude in the direction of Grindu district, Tulcea county. A sinkhole 1.5 meters deep was later found from the fall of the drone in a deserted area, a few kilometers from Grind.
In addition, on September 4, 2024, during the Russian attack on the Izmail port in the Odesa region, Shahed drones fell and exploded on the territory of Romania, creating a danger to its territory. Romania’s Defense Ministry said it was monitoring the situation, but the attack did not pose a direct military threat to Romania’s national territory or territorial waters.
Earlier, on the night of July 25, 2024, Russian troops launched 38 Shahed drones. Ukrainian air defenses shot down 25 of them, and another three drones were “locationally lost” after crossing the border with Romania. The Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the wreckage of the drones was found on the territory of the country. The Ministry of Defense of Romania stated that it did not shoot down the Russian drones, and Prime Minister Marcel Čolaku explained that the country is constantly monitoring the situation, but does not have the opportunity to strike UAVs over the territory of Ukraine.
On July 31, 2024, new wreckage of Russian drones was discovered near the border with Ukraine in Romania. These cases indicate that Russian attacks aimed at Ukraine often affect neighboring countries, including Romania, which can have serious international consequences for the security of the region and NATO countries.
