Romania detonates Russian drone fragments near Ukraine border

Romania’s defence ministry reported that on 30 June 2026 specialist teams safely detonated explosive‑laden fragments of a Russian drone in the southeastern village of Rachelu, Tulcea County, close to the Ukraine border. Preliminary analysis linked the debris to a drone used in Russia’s April attacks on Ukrainian port infrastructure. The incident is the latest in a series of at least 29 unauthorised Russian drone incursions into Romanian airspace since the war began in 2022, with 15 recorded this year, including a May crash into an apartment building that injured two people. Romanian authorities have asked NATO allies for additional low‑altitude radars and interceptor drones and have recently integrated the U.S‑developed Merops anti‑drone system into national air defences. President Nicușor Dan confirmed that a direct communication line with Ukraine has been established to accelerate responses to such events. The controlled detonation was carried out without casualties and the case has been referred to the Constanţa County Prosecutor’s Office.