Romania Activates RO-Alert Near Romania-Ukraine Border Following Detection of Russian Drones

ROMANIA — On the morning of May 1, Romanian authorities issued a RO-Alert notification to residents in the northern part of Tulcea County following the detection of a group of nine drones transiting toward Ukrainian airspace near Romania’s river border.

Romania’s National Military Command Center detected the drones and notified the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations, which activated population alert measures. Surveillance systems recorded no radar signals within Romanian national airspace.

Explosions occurred on the Ukrainian side of the Danube River in the Izmail and Kilia areas during the incident. The air alert remained in effect until 04:03.

The Romanian Ministry of National Defense maintained real-time coordination with allied structures throughout the event.

Drone Detection and Alert Activation

Romanian forces monitored aerial activity in the border region as Russian forces conducted strikes on civilian and infrastructure targets in Ukraine near the shared river border.

The National Military Command Center identified the group of nine drones and initiated notification procedures to the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations at approximately 03:36, triggering the RO-Alert system for the affected population in northern Tulcea County.

No penetration of Romanian airspace occurred according to available surveillance data. The alert concluded at 04:03 once the immediate threat to the area passed.

Official Statements

Ministry of National Defense of Romania, May 1, 2026: “On the morning of Friday, May 1, the Russian Federation attacked civilian and infrastructure targets in Ukraine, in the vicinity of the river border with Romania. Following the detection of a group of 9 drones heading towards Ukrainian airspace, the National Military Command Center notified the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations regarding the establishment of measures to alert the population in the North of Tulcea County, sending an RO-Alert message at 03:36. Surveillance systems did not detect radar signals in national airspace. Explosions were reported on the Ukrainian bank of the Danube, in the Izmail and Kilia areas. The air alert ceased at 4:03. The Ministry of National Defense informs allied structures in real time about the situations generated by the attacks, remaining in permanent contact with them.”