An air raid alert was issued in Romania due to an attack by the Russian Federation
On the night of September 5, Romania issued an air threat warning amid the Russian attack on Ukraine. Romanian radars detected a group of aerial targets moving toward the Ukrainian-Romanian border. The country put its air defense forces on alert and prepared Spanish F-18 fighter jets and a Romanian military helicopter for takeoff.
On the night of September 5–6, Romania stepped up security measures in response to the Russian attack on Ukraine. The country’s military detected a group of aerial targets approaching the Ukrainian-Romanian border. According to the agency, the first signs of danger appeared late in the evening on September 5. At 11:40 p.m., the Romanian radar surveillance system detected a group of aerial targets moving toward the river border with Ukraine.
As a result, the Romanian military placed its air defense systems on combat alert. “On Saturday, September 5, at 11:40 p.m., the Ministry of National Defense’s radar surveillance system detected a group of aerial targets moving toward the river border with Ukraine,” the Romanian Ministry of Defense reported.
Fighter jets were prepared for takeoff
In light of the threat, the Romanian military also prepared its aircraft. Two F-18 fighter jets from the Spanish Air and Space Forces were on standby for a possible sortie. These aircraft are stationed in Romania as part of joint efforts to strengthen air security along NATO’s eastern flank.
In addition, a Romanian IAR 330 Puma SOCAT helicopter was prepared for takeoff. “Two F-18 fighter jets from the Spanish Air and Space Force and an IAR 330 Puma SOCAT helicopter from the Romanian Air Force were ready for takeoff,” the Romanian Ministry of Defense stated. In other words, the military had prepared forces in advance that could respond quickly if an air threat were to approach the country’s territory directly.
People were warned of the danger
After detecting the aerial targets, the Romanian National Military Command Center notified the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations. The notification concerned the need to activate the public warning system for the northern part of Tulcea County. This region is located near the Ukrainian border and the Danube.
At 12:10 a.m., residents of the affected area received a notification via the state alert system, RO-Alert. Thus, people were warned in advance of a potential aerial threat and urged to respond in accordance with safety protocols.
Romanian airspace was not violated
Despite the reported threat, the Romanian military detected no violation of the country’s airspace. Once it became clear that the aerial targets had not crossed the Romanian border, the alert was lifted. The air raid alert ended at 12:42 a.m., approximately half an hour after the RO-Alert message was sent.
The Romanian Ministry of Defense reported no falling debris or other consequences within the country’s territory. Thus, on this occasion, the situation did not result in a violation of Romanian airspace.
Why Romania Responds to Attacks Near Its Border
Romania has repeatedly stepped up security measures during Russian strikes on Ukrainian settlements and infrastructure near the border. The reason is geographical proximity. Some of the Ukrainian regions regularly targeted by Russian forces are located directly adjacent to Romania. This is particularly true of the Odesa region and areas near the Danube. As a result, aerial targets or their debris may end up near Romanian territory.
That is why the Romanian military is monitoring the situation using radar and, in the event of a potential threat, puts its air defense and air force on alert. This time, Romanian radars detected a group of targets at 11:40 p.m. Just 30 minutes later, residents of part of Tulcea County received a warning via RO-Alert. At 12:42 a.m., the alert was lifted after the military determined that there had been no violation of Romanian airspace.
Thus, Romania was forced to respond to an air threat last night amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, though no direct incursion of aerial targets into its territory was recorded. This was reported by the Romanian Ministry of National Defense.
In Moldova, the joint military exercises “Fire Shield” began on September 4 and will continue until September 19.
