Romanian troops simulate urban warfare in Bucharest to boost military readiness

Romanian troops took to a mock battlefield in the heart of Bucharest to simulate urban warfare, as the Romanian military increasingly focuses on combat exercises that involve presumed attacks on densely populated areas.

The exercises, which took place near residential buildings in the nation’s capital, were designed to improve military readiness and complexity in real-life settings.

“The conflict that is now taking place in Ukraine sends us certain signals, lessons that we can identify,” said Marius Tudora, from the 21st Mountain Battalion.

“Certain new tactical techniques and procedures used in the theatre of operations” can lead to “lessons that we also learn, good practices that we identify in this current security environment,” he added.

The army installed inflatable structures resembling single-story buildings with plastic doors to create a realistic environment. Soldiers advanced through the terrain using airsoft rifles, non-lethal alternatives that still allow realistic training conditions.

Troops deployed surveillance drones and navigated the training zone using ATVs, which were also utilised in the simulated evacuation of injured personnel.

Urban combat exercises are also taking place in Romania’s Cincu military base, which hosts 1,500 foreign troops. The base frequently hosts live-fire drills, reinforcing NATO’s eastern flank.