Russian drones struck targets near the Ukrainian border in Romania on July 24, causing fires and explosions in the village of Niculițel, according to informed sources in Ukraine’s Security and Defense Sector.
Why it matters: The drone strikes in Romania, a NATO member, raise concerns about the potential escalation and spillover of the conflict in Ukraine, as Russia continues to target port infrastructure in the Odesa region.
The details:
- Three Russian Shahed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were recorded falling and causing fires near Niculițel, just 7 km from the Ukrainian border.
- The fall of the UAVs was confirmed by the crew of an IAR-330 helicopter from the 57th Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base, who reported a fire caused by the drone strikes.
- Romanian border guards detected the approaching drones at 2:10 a.m., and the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations issued an alert for the northern part of Tulcea County.
- Residents reported hearing explosions to local emergency services, with 10 calls made to the 112 emergency phone number.
The response: Romania sent two F-16 fighter jets to monitor the aerial situation at the border with Ukraine early on Wednesday, following the drone attacks. The jets took off from a military base in southeastern Romania at 2:19 a.m. local time and returned about two hours later.
The search: Romanian teams are currently searching for possible drone debris on Romania’s side of the border around the village of Plauru, which is across the border from the Ukrainian port town of Izmail, separated by the Danube River.
The context: Russia’s military has been targeting port infrastructure in southern Ukraine, particularly in the Odesa region, as part of its ongoing invasion. The attacks on facilities near the Romanian border have raised fears of the conflict spilling over into NATO territory.
What they’re saying: Romania’s ambassador to NATO, Dan Neculăescu, called the Russian strikes close to the Romanian border “an irresponsible escalation.”
Full story
Russian drones struck targets in Romania on July 24, causing fires near Niculițel, 7 km from the Ukrainian border. The strikes were confirmed by the IAR-330 helicopter crew from the 57th Air Base. The strikes occurred during Moscow’s attack on the port infrastructure of Ukraine’s Odesa region.
Today, the Commander of the Air Forces reported on the operations of our fire teams, the downing of "Shahed" drones, and countering Russian missiles. We can now say that our air defense has been strengthened.
The German Patriot system has arrived in Ukraine, and I extend my… pic.twitter.com/bSuCGoXMn1
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 21, 2024
Informed sources in Ukraine’s Security and Defense Sector exclusively reported the incident. Three Shahed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) were recorded falling and subsequently causing fires. Explosions from kamikaze strikes were reported near the village of Niculițel.
A small match still lights a big fire.
A grenade dropped from a drone destroyed a russian ammunition depot.📹: 114th @TDF_UA Brigade pic.twitter.com/w02gRloxnJ
— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) July 24, 2024
A "no-analogue" russian Yastreb-AV radar was destroyed by HIMARS strike in the Donetsk region.
📹: 14th UAS Regiment pic.twitter.com/iesqv3WvRF
— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) July 23, 2024
The fall of the UAVs was confirmed by the crew of an IAR-330 helicopter from the 57th Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base.
Drone strikes near Romania’s border
After the explosions, the helicopter pilot reported a fire caused by the drone strikes.
Media reports indicate that Romanian border guards detected the approaching drones at 2:10 a.m. Simultaneously, the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations issued an alert for the northern part of Tulcea County. The alert informed the population about the possibility of objects falling from the airspace in areas adjacent to the Ukrainian border. After the UAVs fell, residents reported hearing explosions to local emergency services.
The air raid alert in Romania was lifted at 3:46 a.m. There were 10 calls to the 112 emergency phone number based on the sound of explosions. Russian forces attacked Izmail in the Odesa region with drones early in the morning of July 24. Local authorities report hits on port infrastructure and a five-story residential building.
- KyivPost.”Three Russian Shahed Drones Strike Romania, Causing Fire, Sources Say”.
- Newsweek.”NATO Ally’s F-16 Jets Scrambled After Russian Drone Crosses Border”.
- Barrons.”Romania Scouts Drone Debris At Ukraine Border After Explosion Reports”.