Romania has recovered parts of an unmanned Russian aircraft near its border with Moldova, which were found to contain active explosives. The defense ministry reported that these explosives were detonated on-site on Saturday.
As a member of the European Union and NATO, Romania shares a 650-km (400-mile) border with Ukraine and has experienced multiple incidents of Russian drone debris landing on its territory over the past year, coinciding with Moscow’s attacks on Ukrainian port facilities.
Moldova, located between Romania and Ukraine, has also encountered similar drone fragments within its borders.
The defense ministry indicated that the debris was located in the southeastern county of Galati, approximately 500 meters (547 yards) from the Moldovan border and the Danube river port of Giurgiulesti.
“The presence of an active explosive load has been confirmed on the aircraft, which will be detonated in a controlled manner on-site to ensure the safety of the local population,” the ministry stated prior to the detonation.
Earlier this week, Romanian lawmakers passed legislation allowing the military to shoot down drones that illegally enter Romanian airspace, depending on the assessed threat levels and risks to human life and property.
Previously, the country lacked an updated legal framework for addressing unauthorized airspace incursions during peacetime. Under the new law, the destruction of drones or manned aircraft is considered a last resort.
