Italy sends 100 troops and aircraft to Romania — media
Italian soldiers set to arrive in Romania on June 15 (photo: Getty Images)
Italy will forward around 100 soldiers and several fighter jets to Romania. The forces are being deployed to train the Romanian army in countering threats from Russia, according to La Repubblica.
The media outlet reports that the mission was planned in advance, but the incident involving a Russian drone that fell in Galați on May 29 accelerated its launch.
Government sources say the operation will differ from standard NATO air policing missions. It will take place at Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base and will last about one month.
The arrival of Italian troops is expected on June 15. Soldiers stationed at the Constanța base will train their Romanian counterparts in counter-drone operations.
The mission will be supported by fighter jets, though other aircraft types are also not ruled out, including drones designed to intercept and destroy other unmanned aerial vehicles.
Russian drone hits residential building in Romania
Earlier, on the night of May 29, Russia launched a mass drone attack on Ukraine's Odesa region. However, one drone entered Romanian airspace and crashed into a residential high-rise building.
The strike damaged and set fire to an apartment on the 10th floor. Two people were injured, and around 70 residents were evacuated from the building. The drone was identified as a Russian Geran-2 (a Shahed-type drone).
Following the incident, Romania formally requested NATO to accelerate the delivery of air defense systems.
