Romania ups flight restrictions at Ukraine border as drone debris found

 

As Moscow intensifies drone attacks on the ports along the Danube River in Ukraine, Russian drone debris is discovered in Romania.

Due to increased concerns about a spillover onto nearby Romanian territory due to Russian attacks on Ukrainian Danube river ports, Romania has added further flight restrictions in several areas of its airspace along the Ukrainian border.

Romania, a NATO member, has discovered drone debris as a result of Russian attacks on Ukraine's Danube river ports, underscoring security threats for the military alliance, whose members are committed to mutual defense.

According to a directive issued by the Romanian defense ministry on Thursday, piloted and unmanned aircraft are not permitted to fly within 30 kilometers (19 miles) of the Ukrainian border at altitudes lower than 4,000 meters (more than 13,000 feet).

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Romania has already enforced an 8 km (nearly 5 miles) border exclusion zone for flights of less than 1,000 m (3,300 ft).

At a point where the Danube approaches the Black Sea, Romania and Ukraine share a boundary that extends more than 100 kilometers (62 miles) down the river.

The Danube river ports of Sulina and Galati are now subject to extra limitations, according to the defense ministry of Romania, because of recent strikes by Russia.

"Measures to extend restrictions were necessary to ensure a more efficient monitoring and control of air space," the ministry stated. "Given the intensifying Russian attacks on Ukraine's river ports."

After finding drone debris on Romanian land, the foreign ministry of Romania twice summoned the Russian charge d'affaires.

In an effort to reduce threats to locals, the defense ministry announced it would send more troops to the southeast of Romania, close to the border with Ukraine, as well as more patrols and observation posts.

Since Moscow abandoned a year-old agreement that removed a Russian embargo of Ukraine's Black Sea ports in mid-July, Russian attacks on river ports in Ukraine across the Danube from Romania have risen.