Flight restrictions in the northern Dobrogea region, along the border with Ukraine, have been expanded by the Romanian ministries of defense and transport. The new restrictions cover a 20 to 30-kilometer-wide area and extend up to an altitude of 4,000 meters, according to the Ministry of National Defence (MApN).

Previously, flight restrictions were imposed in May 2022 along the entire border with Ukraine but were limited to an 8-kilometer-wide corridor within national airspace, with a maximum altitude of 1,000 meters.

These restrictions apply to both piloted and unmanned aircraft, with exceptions made for state aircraft, including SMURD and emergency situations. The move comes in response to the intensification of Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports along the Danube, leading to the need for a more comprehensive airspace control strategy.

Ukrainian officials reported a “massive” Russian drone attack on Ukrainian grain-exporting ports on the Danube River early on Wednesday. 

Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov confirmed that the ports of Reni and Izmail suffered damage to warehouses, oil storage tanks, and administrative buildings in a 4.5-hour-long attack. 

This incident is part of a series of Russian strikes on Ukrainian port and grain facilities following Russia’s withdrawal from a grain export deal via the Black Sea. 

The Ukrainian air force managed to destroy 32 of the 44 Iranian-made Shahed drones launched by Russia during the overnight attack. 

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