Russian Shahed drone wreckage found in Romania near border with Ukraine

Wreckage of a Russian drone was found in the Romanian county of Tulcea, near the border with Ukraine, on Monday, 9 September.

Specialists from Romania's National Defence Ministry, Intelligence Service and Interior Ministry "collected pieces of a Russian drone" on the outskirts of the village of Periprava in Tulcea.

These will now be submitted for expert analysis "in accordance with legal procedures".

"Searches will also shortly take place in the vicinity of [the village of] Caraorman, which is reported to be another possible crash site," the statement said.

The Romanian Defence Ministry stressed that the wreckage had been found outside populated areas, and no infrastructure had been damaged.

At least two Russian Shahed loitering munitions infiltrated Romanian airspace on the night of Sunday, 7-8 September. In response, Romanian authorities issued mobile phone alerts to residents in the counties of Tulcea and Constanța, which border Ukraine, warning them of the potential risk of these munitions falling.

Meanwhile, the Romanian Foreign Ministry called on Russia to respect international law, including the inviolability of Romania's airspace, and reaffirmed its strong condemnation of Russia's unlawful attacks.

Elena Lasconi, the leader of Romania's main opposition party, Save Romania Union, urged President Klaus Iohannis and Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu to explain the intrusion of Russian drones into Romanian territory.