Russian Drone Strike Targets Ukraine-Romania Border Crossing

In the early hours of November 22, Russian forces launched a drone attack on the Orlivka border crossing between Ukraine and Romania, temporarily halting operations at the key Danube ferry terminal.

The attack damaged critical infrastructure and injured at least two civilians, according to Ukraine’s State Customs Service and regional authorities.

The strike was part of a broader assault involving over 100 drones and a ballistic missile, launched from multiple directions including Russian-occupied Crimea, Bryansk, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.

Air defense units reportedly intercepted 89 aerial targets, but several drones breached defenses, with confirmed strikes at 15 locations across Ukraine.

The Ukrainian State Customs Service stated on Telegram that “infrastructure of the Orlivka ferry complex was damaged by enemy drone strikes,” leading to the suspension of border crossing operations. Travelers were advised to use alternative checkpoints.

Oleh Kiper, the head of the Odesa Regional Military Administration, reported additional damage to civilian infrastructure in the region. “Facades, roofs, and windows of administrative buildings were damaged, and 11 cargo trucks were hit in a parking area. Two people sustained injuries and are receiving medical care,” Kiper stated.

Romania’s Ministry of National Defense also confirmed increased drone activity near the border. At 01:33, emergency alerts were issued to residents in northern Tulcea County. Two F-16 fighter jets were scrambled from the 86th Air Base to monitor the airspace.

The ministry reported that no Russian drones entered Romanian airspace and that the jets returned to their base without incident.

The Orlivka-Isaccea checkpoint is a key international border crossing situated in Ukraine’s Odesa region. It operates a ferry system facilitating both passenger and cargo transport across the Danube River. The facility has been targeted multiple times since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

Earlier, on the night of November 18–19, a Russian drone entered Romanian airspace during a mass aerial attack on Ukraine, prompting a NATO air response.

According to Romania’s Ministry of National Defense, the drone crossed approximately 8 km into Romanian territory before vanishing from radar. In response, two German Eurofighter Typhoon jets and Romanian F-16s were scrambled from local bases to monitor the intrusion.

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