Luiza Ilie

A Spanish NATO F-18 operating from Romania shot down a drone that entered Romanian airspace from Moldova near Galați. Romanian authorities said the drone was safely destroyed after radar contact and authorization to engage, while NATO assessed that it appeared to be Russian. The incident was the fourth drone downed over Romania this year, amid repeated Russian drone incursions linked to the war in Ukraine and growing risks to Romanian airspace, Black Sea shipping and energy routes.

Romania redirected part of the drought-stricken Danube by blasting a rock obstruction, dredging the riverbed and sinking rock-filled barges, raising water levels near its remaining operating nuclear reactor by four centimetres. The measures are expected to allow the reactor to run for at least nine more days after record-low river levels forced the shutdown of the other reactor. Reduced nuclear capacity in Romania and Hungary has increased reliance on expensive power imports amid heatwave-driven demand. Romania is also facing longer-term energy challenges, including ageing facilities, limited grid and storage investment, and a parliamentary decision to preserve coal generation despite commitments linked to EU recovery funds.

Romania is using rock-filled barges, riverbed dredging and explosives to redirect critically low Danube water toward the Cernavoda nuclear plant. One reactor has already shut down, while the remaining reactor could cease operating within five to six days—or nine to ten days if the barges increase water availability. The drought is also reducing hydropower generation and constraining regional electricity imports. Nuclearelectrica's reactors normally provide about one-fifth of Romania's electricity, but ING Bank says the emergency intervention only delays the problem and does not address the country's need for new generation capacity, storage, grid interconnections and investment. Exceptionally low water levels have also exposed World War II German warships sunk near the Romania-Serbia border.

Romania detonated a rock outcrop in the drought-stricken Danube to help redirect cooling water to the remaining operating reactor at the Cernavoda nuclear plant. Exceptionally low river levels have also forced Hungary’s Paks plant to operate at just over 10% capacity, while both countries rely more heavily on costly electricity imports. Romania plans to build a temporary dam after the explosion, and businesses and households in both countries are reducing power consumption to ease pressure on their grids.

Romanian prosecutors have expanded the criminal investigation into Andrew Tate to include allegations of continued incitement to hatred or discrimination against women, citing speeches promoted on social media between 2021 and 2024. Andrew and Tristan Tate, along with four other suspects, remain under investigation for organized crime, human trafficking, trafficking of minors, sexual intercourse with a minor and money laundering; all deny wrongdoing. Andrew Tate disputes the speech-related allegations as an attack on free expression. British arrest warrants remain pending, with extradition expected after Romanian proceedings conclude, while the UK Crown Prosecution Service says Andrew Tate faces 10 criminal charges including rape, actual bodily harm, human trafficking and controlling prostitution for gain.

Romanian lawmakers ousted Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan’s pro-European government in a no-confidence vote supported by 281 legislators, exceeding the 233 votes required. The Social Democratic Party triggered the motion after leaving the governing coalition over disagreements about austerity and joining forces with the far-right opposition. The collapse threatens Romania’s sovereign debt ratings, access to European Union funds and currency stability, with the leu reaching a record low against the euro. President Nicusor Dan is expected to seek a new pro-European government, while a snap election appears unlikely because the hard-right AUR leads opinion polls and Romania has never held an early election.

Romania’s minority pro-European government was ousted after lawmakers approved a no-confidence motion by 281 votes to 233. The Social Democrats withdrew from the coalition and joined the far-right AUR in supporting the motion, citing opposition to Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan’s austerity measures. Bolojan will remain interim premier while President Nicusor Dan seeks a replacement government, though the Liberals and USR have ruled out renewed cooperation with PSD. The collapse raises concerns over Romania’s deficit-reduction commitments, sovereign credit rating, leu currency and access to roughly €10 billion in EU recovery funds, while an early election is considered unlikely.

Romania has confirmed its first leprosy cases in 44 years after two Indonesian masseuses tested positive at a spa in Cluj. Two additional people were being tested, while the confirmed patients received treatment. Health Minister Alexandru Rogobete said customers were unlikely to be at significant risk because leprosy generally requires prolonged exposure to transmit. The spa was closed pending an investigation, and one patient had recently returned from Asia, where her mother was also hospitalized with the disease.

Romania scrambled Eurofighter and F-16 jets after drones entered its territory near the Ukrainian border, prompting warnings for residents in Tulcea and Galați counties. The incident reflects repeated drone incursions linked to Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports. Separately, European officials expressed greater confidence in revised US peace proposals for Ukraine, while Donald Trump and Friedrich Merz discussed possible progress and Merz cautioned that a settlement would take time.

Romania scrambled German Eurofighters and Romanian F-16s after drones breached its airspace near the Ukrainian border, with one drone reportedly tracked inland before the aircraft were stood down. Residents in Tulcea, Galați and Vrancea counties were warned to take cover. The incidents add to growing concern along NATO’s eastern flank, where Russian attacks on Ukrainian Danube ports have repeatedly sent drones or debris into Romanian territory. The report also covers cautious European reactions to US-led Ukraine peace talks, with officials acknowledging progress while warning that major disagreements and a long path to peace remain.

The United States will not replace between 1,000 and 1,200 troops rotated out of Romania, leaving roughly 1,000 U.S. troops there and about 3,500 NATO personnel overall. Washington says the move reflects a broader focus on U.S. borders and the Indo-Pacific rather than reduced commitment to NATO, but senior Republican lawmakers oppose it and are seeking clarification from the Pentagon. Romania says its relationship with the U.S. remains strong and plans to invest more in its own military, including using an advanced air-defence system to counter drone incursions. NATO describes deployment adjustments as routine, while concerns persist across the eastern flank as Russia’s war in Ukraine continues.

A Romanian appeals court ordered the removal of several pieces of evidence from the human trafficking case against Andrew Tate, his brother Tristan and two Romanian women, citing inadmissible witness statements, inconsistencies in the indictment and legal-rights violations. DIICOT has five days to decide whether to correct the filing and proceed with the trial or withdraw the case. The Tate brothers deny wrongdoing, while Andrew Tate and his lawyer described the ruling as a major victory. The brothers also face a separate Romanian investigation and a British arrest warrant to be enforced after the Romanian proceedings conclude.

A Romanian appeals court overturned a decision allowing Andrew Tate, his brother Tristan and two Romanian women accused alongside them to move freely within the European Union. The four suspects must remain in Romania while the court considers the Tates’ appeal against a ruling that their trial can proceed on charges including human trafficking, rape and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women. Prosecutors from DIICOT successfully challenged the earlier ruling, and the Tate brothers have denied the allegations.

Romanian prosecutors opened a criminal investigation into five doctors suspected of reusing hundreds of cardiac implants taken from deceased patients without consent. One doctor in Iasi was detained on suspicion of abuse of power and accepting bribes; prosecutors allege that the doctor oversaw 238 surgeries over seven years, including procedures involving implants of unknown provenance and unnecessary treatments based on false diagnoses. The case highlights broader concerns about corruption and underinvestment in Romania's healthcare system.

The remote Putna monastery in northeastern Romania has opened its rooms to Ukrainian refugees fleeing Russia’s invasion, offering shelter, meals and spiritual comfort. Svetlana and her family are among roughly 100 people, mostly women and children, staying there. The Suceava and Radauti Orthodox Archdiocese has also provided hundreds of beds in monasteries and parish houses, while priests and monks assist refugees at the Siret border and train station. More than 412,000 Ukrainians had crossed into Romania, many continuing westward to join relatives or seek safer destinations.

Hundreds of protesters briefly entered the grounds of Romania’s parliament in Bucharest, spray-painting cars and attempting to block lawmakers from introducing a mandatory COVID-19 health pass for workers. Organised by the opposition Alliance for Uniting Romanians, the demonstration drew an estimated 2,000–2,500 people, while police did not use force. The governing coalition was still negotiating a new bill covering vaccination, recovery or recent negative tests, including who would pay for testing. The unrest came as Romania faced one of the European Union’s lowest vaccination rates and severe COVID-19 mortality during its fourth wave.

A painting believed to be Pablo Picasso’s Tête d’Arlequin, stolen from Rotterdam’s Kunsthal museum in 2012, was found in Romania six years later. Two Dutch citizens brought the work to the Netherlands Embassy in Bucharest after reportedly discovering it in Tulcea county. Romanian prosecutors are investigating and authenticating the painting; the heist’s Romanian ringleader and accomplices were convicted in 2013, but the other six stolen artworks remain missing and some were believed to have been burned.

Tens of thousands of Romanians, many working abroad, protested against the PSD-led government over corruption, low wages and attempts to weaken the judiciary. In Bucharest, clashes near the government headquarters led riot police to use water cannon and tear gas, while footage showed officers beating nonviolent demonstrators; more than 400 people required medical assistance. President Klaus Iohannis condemned the response as disproportionate and demanded an explanation from the Interior Ministry. The protests reflect wider opposition to the government's criminal-code changes and concerns over Romania's persistently weak rule-of-law record.

Viorica Dancila was nominated by President Klaus Iohannis to become Romania's first female prime minister after Mihai Tudose resigned, with parliamentary approval expected by the end of January. Although Iohannis acknowledged the Social Democratic Party's parliamentary majority and gave it another chance to govern, Dancila's close ties to party leader Liviu Dragnea raised concerns that she could act as his proxy. The appointment was therefore expected to be judged largely on its effect on Romania's fight against high-level corruption and organized crime.