Romania has closed the skies near the border with Ukraine and is ready to shoot down Russian Shaheds
Romania has closed the skies in a 30-kilometre zone near the border with Ukraine. The ban applies to aircraft and drones in the northern Dobrogea region, located between the Danube ports of Sulina and Galati.
This was reported by the Romanian Ministry of Defence in a document published on 15 September.
– “No manned or unmanned aircraft are allowed to fly in these prohibited areas, with the exception of state aircraft,” the document says.
Meanwhile, Romania’s Deputy Chief of Defence Staff, General Georgica Vlad, said that the country’s armed forces are ready to shoot down Russian drones that pose a threat to Romania.
According to him, due to Russia’s frequent attacks on Ukrainian ports on the Danube along Romanian territory, about 600 military personnel and radar systems have been deployed in the Danube Delta area, Digi24 reports.
– “We have deployed several radars, our defence system is activated, and we have discussed with our NATO allies solutions to counter Russian aggression,” the general said.
Georgica Vlad also did not rule out that Romania could use its air defence system against Russian drones.
– Depending on the level of the threat, we are ready to use all available military means to defend the territory of Romania,” said General.
Our scoop from yesterday in English: General in the #NATO country #Romania says the the army is placing troops and air defense at the the Danube delta. “We are ready to imply all the military power to defend Romanian territory.” pic.twitter.com/wSS6REjYjF
— Elin Jönsson (@ElinJonssonSVT) September 15, 2023
Over the past two months, the Russian military has been attacking Ukrainian ports on the Danube with Shahed-136/131 drones almost every night, destroying port and grain infrastructure.
Over the past two weeks, the wreckage of Russian drones has been found three times on the Romanian side of the Danube. The first discovery was made on 6 September. The second time the wreckage of Russian Shaheds was found on 9 September, and the third time on 13 September after another shelling of the Ukrainian Danube.
Romanian authorities plan to evacuate residents of the villages where the drone wreckage was found. And the Romanian National Emergency Committee has stepped up civil protection measures in the areas along the Danube.
In addition, Romania has begun building shelters for residents of Plauru village, located opposite the city of Izmail, where the largest number of enemy Shahed-136/131 wreckage was found.
