BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) 鈥 The discovery of drone debris on Romanian territory this week has left some local residents fearing that the war in neighboring Ukraine could spread into their country, as Russian forces bombard Ukrainian ports just across the Danube River from NATO-member Romania.
Moscow aims to disrupt Ukraine's ability to export grain to world markets with a sustained campaign of attacks targeting Ukrainian Danube ports, and has this week, Ukrainian officials say.
Across from Izmail, near the Romanian village of Plauru, Romanian Defense Minister Angel Tilvar said Wednesday. It was unclear if Romanian authorities had determined when or from where the drone was launched, and Tilvar said the debris didn't pose a threat, but the development has left citizens in the European Union nation feeling uneasy.
Daniela Tanase, 46, who lives in Plauru with her husband and son, told The Associated Press that the drone strikes on Izmail this week have woken her up, and that villagers 鈥渁re scared" of the persistent Russian attacks.
鈥淚n the first phase (of the war) things were calmer, but now it has come to our territory,鈥 she said. But added: 鈥淔or now, we haven鈥檛 thought of leaving the area 鈥 we hope it will pass.鈥
Tilvar visited Plauru and nearby areas Wednesday after confirming the drone findings to a local news channel, and Romania's Defense Ministry said he told local authorities there would be additional measures to secure 鈥渢he airspace at Romania鈥檚 borders."
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis demanded an 鈥渦rgent investigation." If the debris were confirmed to have been from a Russian drone it would be an 鈥渋nadmissable鈥 violation of Romania's sovereignty and territorial integrity, Iohannis said at this week.
On Thursday, Romania鈥檚 好色tv Committee for Emergency Situations approved protection measures to allow authorities to issue localized text message alerts or sound alarms to warn inhabitants 鈥渁djacent to the conflict areas鈥 in Ukraine of incidents or potential incidents. Emergency authorities will deploy crews to areas without any signal.
In the Danube localities of Plauru, Ceatalchioi and some other areas, the document 鈥 seen by the AP 鈥 states that Romania鈥檚 defense ministry will build 鈥減rotective spaces鈥 for residents. In the communities near Ukraine's ports of Izmail and Reni, spaces 鈥渢hat can be used for shelter鈥 will also be identified.
Mircea Franc, the owner of a guesthouse in the area of Chilia Veche near Ukraine's Kiliia port in the Danube Delta region, said he鈥檚 seen 鈥渇ireballs鈥 in the sky this week on the other side of the Danube River and that it has left villagers shaken.
鈥淟ast night 鈥 there were drones cruising on the other side of the river and the day before yesterday there were many, they are the first in our area since the war started,鈥 he said on Thursday. 鈥淭he atmosphere in the village is indeed one of panic ... and the fear is worst at night.鈥
Speaking at the EU parliament on Thursday, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said that the 31-nation alliance has been informed by Romania about the finding of drone pieces and that the episode 鈥渄emonstrates the risks of incidents and accidents.鈥
鈥淲e don鈥檛 have any information indicating any intentional attack by Russia and we are awaiting the outcome of the ongoing investigation,鈥 Stoltenberg said.
For Franc, the guesthouse owner, the close proximity of the war is already having a negative impact on his business since tourists are now 鈥渧ery reluctant to come here,鈥 he said, adding that some local families have moved away from the area out of fear.
鈥淲e are worried because nobody can guarantee that (a drone) won鈥檛 fall on our side of the river,鈥 he said. 鈥淔or the last two nights, three-quarters of the village hasn鈥檛 been sleeping. Beyond trying to calm us down, the authorities can鈥檛 do much about it.鈥
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Stephen McGrath reported from Sighisoara, Romania. AP journalist Lorne Cook contributed from Brussels.
