The Romanian Ministry of National Defense has reported the discovery of potential drone fragments within Romania, located just 14 kilometers from the border. These fragments were found scattered across an area near the towns of Nufărul and Victoria in Tulcea county. Concerned by reports from residents in the Danube Delta who called the emergency line 112 to report fallen drones, the Ministry of Defense swiftly initiated investigations in cooperation with the local emergency services in Tulcea.
An IAR 330 Puma helicopter from the Romanian Air Force, stationed at the Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base, identified these fragments on September 13, at approximately 11:30 a.m. The discovery occurred in the area surrounding Nufărul and Victoria in Tulcea county, where the scattered remnants spanned a considerable area. Following established procedures, another helicopter from the Romanian Air Force, stationed at Air Transport Base 90 in Otopeni, was dispatched with a specialized team to conduct preliminary investigations on the ground and collect evidence for further analysis.
The Ministry of National Defense emphasises the proximity of this discovery to the Ukrainian border, situated just 14 kilometers away. The location is more than 20 kilometers in a straight line from the port of Izmail and only 8 kilometers from Tulcea.
Additionally, the initial report indicated that the Tulcea Inspectorate for Emergency Situations had received two calls to 112 reporting observations of objects falling in the Nufărul area. The situation prompted immediate field investigations by teams coordinated by the Ministry of National Defense, in cooperation with various institutions within the national defense system, public order, and national security sectors.
The Ministry of Defense has been closely monitoring the aerial situation in its areas of responsibility in real-time. Upon detecting groups of drones heading towards Ukrainian ports, they promptly alerted the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations at 00:45, specifically highlighting the areas in Tulcea and Galati counties that could be affected by the associated risks. The aerial pre-alert status in these regions ceased at 5:00 a.m.
Furthermore, the Ministry of National Defense, in collaboration with other institutions within the National Defense System, public order, and national security sectors, is actively investigating potential instances of drone impacts within Romania. Specifically, field investigations are ongoing in response to phone notifications received through the 112 service, reporting possible drone impacts in the sector encompassing the localities of Nufăru, Malcoci, and Valea Nucarilor in Tulcea county.
Press Releases from MAPN ()
Nr. 333 13.09.2023
Wednesday, September 13, the Russian forces continued their attacks on the Ukrainian port infrastructure in Reni and Ismail, in proximity to the border between Ukraine and Romania.
The National Defense Ministry monitored the aerial situation in real time in the areas of responsibility. As a result of detecting groups of drones heading towards the Ukrainian ports, the MApN (Ministry of National Defense) notified the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations, starting at 00:45, regarding the specific areas in Tulcea and Galați counties, which are nearby, with the potential to be affected by the risks associated with this situation. The aerial pre-alert status in these areas ended at 05:00.
Following the evolution of the situation and based on the information received from ISU Tulcea, regarding phone notifications through the 112 service about possible drone impact cases in a sector encompassing the localities Nufăru, Malcoci, and Valea Nucarilor, Tulcea county, MApN teams, in cooperation with forces and means from other institutions of the national defense, public order, and national security system, are investigating these situations. We will return with details, depending on the data received from the field.
MApN forces remain on alert and will continue the investigations in the areas where risks may arise as a result of this situation.
The National Defense Ministry strongly condemns the attacks carried out by the Russian Federation against certain objectives and elements of civil infrastructure in the Ukrainian ports on the Danube. These attacks are unjustified and in grave contradiction with the rules of international humanitarian law.
Also, the MApN maintains constant contact with allied structures, which are informed in real-time about the situation generated by these attacks.
The Ministry remains committed to providing updates based on information obtained from these field investigations, with their forces remaining on high alert and continuing investigations in areas where risks may arise due to the evolving situation.
Lastly, the Ministry of National Defense strongly condemns the recent attacks by the Russian Federation on civilian infrastructure in Ukrainian ports along the Danube, describing them as unjustified and in serious violation of international humanitarian law. The Ministry maintains constant communication with allied structures, ensuring they are informed in real-time about the situation resulting from these attacks.
In a related development, a recent drone attack by Russian forces during the night between Tuesday and Wednesday inflicted damage on the Ukrainian port of Izmail, as reported by Odessa Region Governor Oleh Kiper. In response, Romanian authorities issued RO-Alert messages to eight localities in Tulcea county near the Ukrainian border. These alerts aim to keep the local population informed and provide guidance in the event of further drone attacks, advising residents to take shelter as necessary.
