In the event of a further rise in the threat, Romania could expand its military presence in the Danube region bordering Ukraine, in response to attacks by Russian drones. Such plans were voiced by Romania’s Minister of Defense, Radu Miruta. According to him, no state can completely eliminate the risk of a drone strike, but there is a possibility of Russian drones overflying certain populated areas. He stressed that “this risk remains low”.
This risk remains low.
– Radu Miruta
In an interview with Digi24 television, given the day after another air-raid alert, Miruta noted that the Romanian army is gradually strengthening its air defense system near the border with Ukraine.
gradually strengthening its air defense system near the border with Ukraine
– Radu Miruta
This refers to the transfer of several dozen troops, radars and GEPARD anti-aircraft systems capable of detecting and destroying aerial targets.
We are strengthening the force in the region – both in personnel and in equipment. We are moving available assets to where strategic analysis shows rising risk, and we place firing units so as to protect the inhabited areas of Romania. One risk is when a drone breaches and explodes in the reeds of the delta; another is when it falls in the middle of a village. We are trying to make the more probable ones the first scenarios, not the second
– Radu Miruta
The minister acknowledged that completely ruling out the appearance of drones in populated areas is impossible. “We work with probabilities and available capabilities. No one can guarantee that this won’t happen,” he stressed.
We work with probabilities and available capabilities. No one can guarantee that this won’t happen
– Radu Miruta
The most serious incident was recorded at the end of last week: a resident reported the fall of a Russian drone onto the courtyard of a house in Vrancea County, about 200 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The house was uninhabited, and the woman visits there once a week for cleaning. After seeing the drone debris, she called 112. According to the army, the drone was not radar-detected, so the time of its fall is unknown.
Earlier, on December 21, in Arges County near Leresti, a drone with a parachute attached was found. According to News.ro sources, the parachute was attached to the aircraft; the police assured the competent authorities who have to determine the origin and circumstances of the fall.
Drones were often spotted over military and air bases, including bases that trained Ukrainian troops. In January 2025, the British and German sides spoke of heightened attention to Russian drones after their noticeable presence over bases in Europe. According to law enforcement, reports came in at around 10:40. A 49-year-old man, a hunter, contacted the municipal police of the city of Cimpulung with a report of an object resembling a drone stuck among trees.
According to experts, NATO openly stated in 2025 a decrease in Russia’s respect for airspace, and the only violations were viewed as a systemic campaign aimed at undermining European unity and supporting Ukraine. Russia denies these accusations.
In summary, the border situation with Ukraine continues to be in the spotlight due to rising drone activity and anticipated steps by Romania to bolster defense in the border region.