Tensions flared on Boxing Day as Russian drones unleashed a “savage strike” on Ukraine’s Odesa region, targeting vital energy and port infrastructure. What makes this attack particularly alarming is its extreme proximity to Romania, a NATO member state. Huge flames were reportedly seen at a power facility in Port Izmail, just hundreds of yards from the Romanian border along the Danube River.
The proximity of the assault prompted NATO to scramble warplanes. Two F-16 fighter jets from Romania’s 86th Air Base were launched in the early hours to monitor the situation. Romanian officials confirmed identifying groups of Russian drones headed towards Ukrainian ports across their border. The jets flew for over two hours as residents in Romania’s Tulcea County faced alerts over potential threats to their safety. Thankfully, no unauthorized intrusions into Romanian airspace were recorded during this specific mission.
However, this isn’t an isolated incident. Since the war began, Russian drone debris has been found on Romanian territory 34 times, and its airspace has been violated 13 times. This pattern of strikes near a NATO frontier raises serious concerns and strongly suggests the Kremlin has little interest in successful peace talks.
While Odesa’s military administration reported damage to infrastructure and a resulting fire, there were no fatalities in the immediate area. Yet, the broader impact on Ukraine remains grim, with casualties reported in other regions from Russian attacks over Christmas. The ongoing targeting of crucial infrastructure continues to highlight the brutal reality of the conflict.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/2150622/ww3-fears-explode-nato-scrambles
