Romania detonates Russian drone fragments found near Ukraine border

BUCHAREST, June 30 (Reuters) - ‌Romania's defence ​ministry ​said on Tuesday it safely detonated drone fragments found in the southeastern village ‌of Rachelu, near the border with Ukraine, part ⁠of debris linked to a Russian attack on Ukrainian ‌port infrastructure in April.

EU ‌and NATO member Romania, which shares a 650-km (400-mile) land border with Ukraine, said Russian drones have ​breached its airspace 29 times since Moscow began attacking Ukrainian ports across the Danube River ⁠following its full-scale invasion in 2022.

Fifteen of those incursions have occurred ​this year alone. In late May, one drone crashed into an apartment building, injuring ​two people, the first time ‌a densely populated area in a NATO country had been hit and ⁠caused injuries during Russia's war in Ukraine.

On Thursday, the Romanian defence ministry said a local resident had reported ⁠the drone fragments, which contained explosives and had to be ​detonated at the site.

Romania has asked NATO allies to deploy additional anti-drone capabilities to Romania, particularly low-altitude radars and ‌interceptor drones.

Earlier this month, the defence ministry said it had integrated the ‌U.S.-developed Merops interceptor drone system into its national air ⁠defences.

Romania is also set ‌to boost its ​air defences via the EU's new SAFE rearmament initiative.

(Reporting by Luiza IlieEditing by Ros ‌Russell)

---

Serious News for Serious Traders! Try StreetInsider.com Premium Free!

---

You May Also Be Interested In

• Germany's AfD eyes Saxony-Anhalt win as first step toward federal power
• Kazakhs begin voting in election set to tighten president's power
• Iran says new sanctions threatened by 'desperate' US will fail