Romania says it found drone fragments near Ukraine’s border after Russia’s air attack
Romania's defense ministry investigates a drone crash near Ukraine's border amid Russia's air attack - it's at least the fifth crash since last September, while Moldova reports hearing explosions.
The Romanian defense ministry reported that fragments of a drone were discovered on a farm near the Ukraine border, close to the Danube River, which divides the two countries. Army search teams were dispatched to Great Brăila Island for investigation after locals reported hearing “strange noises” and shared footage of the drone’s descent, according to Sky News. The island is located 40 kilometers from Ukraine’s border.
Romania has been a NATO member since 2004. It is at least the fifth explosive Russian drone crash on the Romanian territory since last September. After one of the previous crashes, NATO Spokesperson Dylan White condemned the Russian attacks on Ukraine but said NATO does not have information that Russia’s attacks on the NATO territory were intentional.
The incident occurred during Russia’s massive air attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure overnight on 29 March.
Russia targets more power plants as Ukraine downs 58/60 explosive drones, 26/39 missiles
“Fragments which seem to originate from an aerial device (drone) were identified on an agricultural terrain, in Insula Mare a Brăilei, on March 28, 2024. Ministry of National Defence is investigating the incident alongside specialized structures of the National Defence, Public Order and National Security System, on March 29 2024, in accordance with the specific operational procedures,” the report by Romania’s Ministry of National Defense reads.
NATO maintains a mutual defense commitment to its members, but following similar incidents, both the Alliance and Romanian officials have stated that they found no evidence of any deliberate attack targeting Romania.
Moldova reported three explosions
It comes after Moldova’s authorities said three explosions were heard near its border with Ukraine overnight, specifically from Ukraine’s Novodnistrovskyi district, according to reports in local media, Sky News said.
The sounds were audible from the Moldovan towns of Ocnita, Otaci, and Soroca. Despite the proximity, Moldovan border force officials confirmed that Russian missiles did not enter Moldovan airspace.
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