Romania may deploy additional troops along the Danube border with Ukraine depending on the level of threat, in response to increased Russian drone attacks.
Romanian Defense Minister Radu Mîrzucé told Digi24 that no country can completely eliminate the risk of drone strikes. While the likelihood of a Russian UAV reaching populated areas is low, the Romanian army is gradually strengthening its air defenses near Ukraine. This includes deploying several dozen troops, radar systems, and Gepard anti-aircraft units capable of detecting and neutralizing Russian drones.
“We are reinforcing deployments in this area [Dobruja region, bordering Ukraine] with both personnel and equipment,” Mîrzucé said. Fire units are positioned to protect populated areas, aiming to ensure that any drone incidents occur mostly in reeds or uninhabited areas rather than on rooftops.
The minister noted that last week a Russian drone fell in a yard in Vrancea County, almost 200 km from the Ukrainian border. Romanian authorities were unaware of the exact time of the incident, as the drone was not detected by military radar.
Mîrzucé acknowledged that the army cannot detect all Russian UAVs.
“Some drones are not visible on radar due to their foam or cardboard construction, which absorbs radar waves instead of reflecting them,” he explained. Terrain also affects visibility, with drones being easier to detect over the Black Sea or near Snake Island, while some objects are less visible or invisible at certain altitudes inland.
The minister said he receives several alerts per night on his operational phone. Depending on the situation, either F-16 fighters are scrambled, or ground systems are engaged to intercept or prevent threats.
This marks the first such statement from a Romanian defense official regarding drone threats since the start of the war.
