Romanian village evacuated after Russian attack on Danube

2025-11-17 15:50:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Romanian authorities have ordered the evacuation of residents in the village of Plauru, near the Danube River, which forms the border with Ukraine, after a drone reportedly hit a ship carrying liquefied natural gas on the Ukrainian side of the river.

In a statement released on November 17, the Defense Ministry said its radar monitoring and surveillance systems have also detected and tracked objects in Ukrainian airspace near the Tulkea district, where Plauru is located.

The statement also said that the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations had been notified regarding the implementation of measures to notify the population in the northern part of the region.

Meanwhile, the Ministry said there have been no unauthorized incursions of aircraft into Romanian airspace, but Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports in the Danube region have caused several alerts to be issued in the NATO member state.

Russian drone incursions into Romania and Poland, along with the entry of Russian military aircraft into Estonian airspace, have forced NATO to launch its "Eastern Guard" initiative to strengthen air defenses.

Meanwhile, the European Union last month approved a five-year defense roadmap, which includes a plan for a "drone shield" that is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2027.

The European Commission's plan emphasizes that Russia and Belarus pose the "greatest threat," referring to repeated violations of EU member states' airspace by drones.

With the continuing risk of explosions, the Department of Emergency Situations said several people have been evacuated.

George Maladoi, deputy mayor of Keatolçioi settlement, which includes the village of Plauru, told Radio Free Europe that some residents have been relocated to the municipal building until the problem is resolved.

He added that local emergency teams are helping to evacuate people and animals to safer areas./ REL