Link to A Russian drone struck a residential building in the Romanian city of Galati, injuring two people and prompting Bucharest and its NATO allies to denounce what they described as a dangerous breach of international lawA Russian drone struck a residential building in the Romanian city of Galati, injuring two people and prompting Bucharest and its NATO allies to denounce what they described as a dangerous breach of international law
Romania and its NATO partners have sharply condemned Russia after a drone crashed into an apartment building in the eastern Romanian city of Galati, injuring two people and raising fresh fears that the war in Ukraine could spill further into alliance territory.
According to Romanian authorities, the drone entered national airspace during an overnight Russian attack aimed at Ukraine. It was tracked by radar before hitting the roof of a residential building, triggering a fire and forcing the evacuation of several residents. Two F-16 fighter jets and a helicopter were scrambled, while emergency alerts were sent to people in the area.
Bucharest’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the incident as a serious violation of international law. Romania also summoned the Russian ambassador and announced diplomatic measures, including the expulsion of the Russian consul in Constanta and the closure of the Russian consulate in the Black Sea port city.
President Nicusor Dan said Romania would not allow Russia’s war against Ukraine to be “transferred” onto Romanian citizens. He asked the Foreign Ministry to prepare measures proportionate to what he called a very serious situation.
The crash has added to growing concern across NATO’s eastern flank, where several countries have reported airspace violations in recent months. Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Finland have all raised alarms over repeated incursions, while drone incidents have intensified fears of accidental or deliberate escalation.
Romania has urged NATO to accelerate the delivery of anti-drone systems. Outgoing Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan said the country was preparing to sign a contract for new air-defence capabilities under the European Union’s SAFE programme.
The reaction from European capitals was swift. France’s European Affairs Minister Benjamin Haddad said the incident underlined the threat posed by Russia to European security, while Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said that, whether deliberate or caused by incompetence, Russia remained dangerous. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Moscow’s war had “crossed yet another line”.
NATO also condemned what it called Russia’s recklessness. Secretary-General Mark Rutte said the alliance would defend all of its territory, adding that Russia’s war does not stop at Ukraine’s borders. The United States ambassador to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, described the incident as a reckless incursion and said the alliance would defend “every inch” of NATO territory.
Ukraine expressed solidarity with Romania. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the incident showed that strengthening Ukraine’s air defences was not only vital for Kyiv but also essential to reducing risks for neighbouring countries.
Russia rejected the accusations. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said claims about Russian drones flying over Europe were unsubstantiated, while former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev warned that similar incidents could continue as long as European countries support Ukraine.
The episode comes as Russia intensifies its aerial campaign against Ukraine. Kyiv said its forces shot down 217 drones during the overnight attack, out of 232 drones and one ballistic missile launched by Moscow. Ukrainian officials reported strikes across multiple areas.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the escalation could spiral out of control, with “unknown and unintended consequences”. He called for diplomacy, immediate de-escalation and a full, unconditional ceasefire.
For NATO, the crash in Romania is more than an isolated incident. It is another reminder that the longer the war continues, the greater the risk that a miscalculation, a technical failure or a deliberate provocation could test the alliance’s collective defence commitments.
(Associated Medias) – all rights reserved
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