Fragments of exploding Russian drone found in Romania

Romanian Defense Minister Ángel Tilvar (second from left) said that drone fragments were found on the territory of a NATO ally. Photo: Romanian Defense Ministry via AP

Romania, a NATO member state, said fragments of a Russian drone were found on its territory.

Angel Tilvar, Romanian Defense Minister, told local news channel Antena 3 CNN that parts of what was most likely a drone were found in the eastern district of Tulcea.

The area is part of the Danube Delta, which forms a natural border between Romania and war-torn Ukraine.

< p>«I confirm that parts that may belong to the drone have been found in the area,» he said. , adding that these details do not pose a threat.

It is unclear whether Romania has determined when and from where the drone was launched. Recently, Russia has carried out many attacks on the Danube ports in Ukraine, which are located near Romania, a NATO member since 2004.

Explosion near Plauru, Romania, seen from Izmail, Ukraine, after a Russian airstrike Photo: Telegram/Odesa INFO/via REUTERS

“In a fairly short period of time, there was a series of attacks that Russia carried out against Ukrainians. port facilities and warehouses,” Mr. Tilvar said. «That's why I think it's important to increase vigilance.»

Mr Tilvar's comments came after the Romanian Defense Ministry «categorically denied» Kiev's claims on Monday that Shahed drones launched by Russia on Sunday evening, fell and exploded on the territory of Romania.

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis also denied these allegations. On Tuesday, he said the attacks were «confirmed 800 meters from our border, very, very close.»

On Wednesday, Mr. Iohannis responded to Mr. Tilvara, stating that he had requested an «urgent investigation».

«If it is confirmed that these elements come from a Russian drone, this situation will be completely unacceptable and a serious violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Romania, a NATO ally state,» he said at the Three Seas Initiative summit in Bucharest. .

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Romania briefed its NATO allies on Wednesday on the findings at a meeting of envoys of the organization from 31 countries in Brussels.

“Romanian authorities have confirmed that the wreckage is believed to have come from a drone, was discovered on Romanian soil, close to the border with Ukraine,” NATO spokesman Dylan White said in a statement.

“The Allies expressed strong solidarity with Romania,” Mr. White said. “We continue to closely monitor the situation and remain in close contact with our ally Romania.”

Since Russia invaded Ukraine last February, there has only been one other incident recorded where the war escalated to the territory of Ukraine. NATO member state. It happened when a rocket hit a farm in Poland, killing two people.

Later, Polish officials said that this was unintentional and was probably launched by the air defenses of neighboring Ukraine.