Romania reports ‘accidental’ Russian drone incursion

Romania reports ‘accidental’ Russian drone incursion

In addition to Romania and Poland, which border Ukraine, Estonia, Denmark, and Germany also accused the Kremlin of sending drones into their airspace.

A car drives along a street during a blackout in Kyiv on Monday, following Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. (AFP pic)
BUCHAREST:
Fragments of a suspected Russian drone landed in Romania without causing any damage, as President Nicusor Dan on Tuesday downplayed the incident as an “accident”.

“On the night of November 10-11, 2025, the Russian Federation launched new air strikes on Ukrainian ports on the Danube,” the Romanian defence ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

“A large number of explosions were recorded on the Ukrainian side of the Danube, in the area of the port of Izmail,” it said.

The ministry said it was “informed about the ground impact of an aerial vehicle in the Grindu area, approximately five kilometres south of the border. Military teams went to the scene and reported the presence of possible drone fragments”.

Dan later told journalists the crash was “accidental”, adding: “It has happened before”.

In October, the European Union denounced “Moscow’s escalation” following a series of violations of European airspace attributed to Russian aircraft.

In addition to Romania and Poland — which border Ukraine — Estonia, Denmark, and Germany also accused the Kremlin of sending drones in their airspace.

A NATO brigade began rapid deployment exercises in Romania on October 20, which will end on Thursday.

Last month, the United States announced a reduction in its military presence on Europe’s eastern front, including the withdrawal of nearly 700 of the 1,700 American troops deployed in Romania.

In September, Romania summoned the Russian ambassador after a drone intrusion.

In February, Bucharest passed a law allowing the country to shoot down drones that violate its airspace.

Stay current - Follow FMT on WhatsApp, Google news and Telegram

Subscribe to our newsletter and get news delivered to your mailbox.