Romanian Citizens Advised to Seek Shelter from Russian Drones Amid Ukraine Conflict

Romanians living near the Ukrainian border received emergency alerts urging them to remain calm and seek shelter as Russia targeted Ukrainian ports along the Danube River. The Romanian defence ministry discovered Russian drone parts on its territory for the third time in a week. Despite this, the government assured residents that the risk of cross-border escalation was minimal. In response, the Romanian military set up makeshift concrete shelters in the affected areas. In the early hours, residents in eight villages received messages on their phones warning of falling objects from the airspace. The defence ministry detected a group of drones heading towards Ukrainian ports near the Romanian border, which have been increasingly targeted by Russia. The warning was issued due to possible drone impacts in areas around Tulcea and Nufaru. The alert was lifted later in the morning. Although residents frequently hear drones flying over Romanian territory, they are located 14km south of the border. Romania condemned Russia's attacks on Ukrainian grain infrastructure in the ports of Izmail and Reni, calling them unjustified and in violation of international humanitarian law. The defence ministry found fragments from a drone similar to those used by the Russian army south of Nufaru. Initially, Romania denied reports of Russian drone parts landing on its territory but has since made three separate discoveries and is investigating their origin. Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu assured the public that the country was not being targeted. The authorities have started constructing two concrete structures in the border area as a precaution for residents. Russia's bombing campaign in Ukraine's Danube ports, close to NATO members like Romania, has raised concerns about the potential escalation of the conflict. The Ukrainian military reported shooting down 32 drones in the latest attack, resulting in several civilian injuries. The ports are crucial export routes for Ukraine, particularly since Russia withdrew from a UN-brokered deal that allowed safe grain shipments via the Black Sea.