State Secretary of Romania Julian Fota passed an official protest note to the Russian embassy, Digi24 reports. Bucharest condemned Russia’s “systematic, unjustified, and barbaric attacks” against Ukraine. Furthermore, Romania demanded to stop these attacks, including those that threaten the safety of its citizens.

On 4 September, Ukraine reported that two drones had crashed in Romania, a NATO country, during a Russian attack on Izmail and Reni by Shahed drones. Those ports sit on the bank of the Danube River, which Ukraine shares with Romania. 

At first, the Romanian side categorically denied the incident. However, Bucharest eventually reported finding debris from two drones that resembled Russian unmanned aircrafts.

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis stated that this violated Romanian airspace and informed NATO. Member states expressed “strong solidarity” with Bucharest. However, according to the Secretary-General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, no information indicates this was a deliberate Russian attack.

Meanwhile, Romanians are stepping up security measures along the border with Ukraine. They will send out danger notifications, conduct safety training, and build shelters in endangered villages. In addition, the possibility of evacuating the population is being discussed.

Read more:

• Ukraine says Russian Shahed drones fell, exploded on Romanian territory, Romania denies report (updated)

• Iohannis on drone fragments: if Russian origin confirmed, it represents a grave violation of Romania’s territorial integrity

• Stoltenberg: NATO sees no indication of deliberate Russian drone attack on Romania

• Romania to warn civilians near Ukraine border of Russian drone strikes