The Sfantu Gheorghe branch of the Danube hosted on April 2 an inter-institutional training exercise focused on managing a refugee crisis in the Danube Delta and handling prisoners of war, as part of the wider Sea Shield military exercise.
Ten Romanian Navy ships and more than 100 participants — military personnel, staff from decentralised agencies and volunteers — took part in the drill, which tested interoperability in a multinational framework.
The scenario simulated a group of 20 people crossing the border illegally. After being reported by a local resident, the group was taken over by authorities, but several members revolted. At the same time, a ship crossed the border illegally, was intercepted, one person was injured and others became prisoners of war.
“We want to collaborate with partners from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Special Telecommunications Service, the Public Health Directorate, the County Ambulance Service and the Prefecture, in order to harmonise our joint action procedures,” said Captain Commander Alin Dogaru, commander of river battle group 26.1 and head of the Sea Shield exercise.
For many participants, the drill echoed the real-life experience gained since the escalation of the war in Ukraine, when thousands of refugees entered the EU through the Isaccea border crossing in Tulcea County.
“We have the experience of receiving such people because we have to get involved in all aspects — ensuring order during triage, verifying identity documents, establishing subsequent measures. These people have the right to live civilised in a country they arrive in because of a war,” said Colonel Ion Bordei, head of the Tulcea Gendarmerie Inspectorate.
Volunteers from the Romanian Red Cross also joined the exercise. “The Red Cross is in charge of family reunification and compliance with the Geneva treaties. Let’s not forget that the exchange of prisoners is also done through this organisation,” said representative Nicolae Grigore.
Commander Fanel Radulescu, head of the River Flotilla, said the exercise aimed to reassure local residents, noting the high number of calls to 112 after recent RO-ALERT messages linked to the war in Ukraine. “Sea Shield has several stages and elements planned… so that all the country’s defense needs are covered,” he said.
He emphasised the uniqueness of the River Flotilla within the EU, given its missions, equipment and the areas it must cover. “We are perfectly interoperable, perfectly integrated, everything developed in the real flow of events. This was the real objective of the exercise — to show that together we are strong.”
The Marine Infantry Regiment “Heracleea” from Babadag — Romania’s only marine infantry unit — also participated. Its commander, Colonel Marius Gheorghescu, highlighted the value of inter-institutional cooperation. “Every year we have several exercises with American, French and Spanish partners. With the Ministry of Internal Affairs we also have annual exercises. Things never turn out perfectly and you always have a future field to explore in terms of coordination.”
Residents of nearby villages said the drills reassured them, especially given the frequent sounds of aircraft linked to the conflict in Ukraine. “Exercises do not scare us. On the contrary, they make us happy, because this means that it does not catch us unprepared,” said local resident Mariana Grosu.
At the end of the exercise, Tulcea Deputy Prefect Eugen Terente stressed its importance: “These exercises prove to people that everyone is here, that everyone is with them, and everyone should feel calmer.”
According to the General Emergency Management Inspectorate, between September 2023 and February 2026 more than 70 RO-ALERT messages were sent to residents of Constanta, Galati, Tulcea and Vrancea counties, over 60 of them in Tulcea alone. Some residents say they have deactivated the alerts due to anxiety.
According to the Defense Ministry, Sea Shield is coordinated annually by the Naval Component Command and aims to increase interoperability among participating forces and optimise cooperation across defence, public order and national security institutions.
