Nato Condemns Russia After Drone Strike Injures Two in Romania

Romanian police investigators examined the damage site on a Friday morning following a significant explosion. A Russian drone struck a residential building in the eastern town of Galați. The attack resulted in a fire and left two people injured. Officials confirmed that the drone hit a block of flats located in close proximity to the border with Ukraine.

The incident triggered strong condemnation from Romania’s international allies. Members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato) and the European Union (EU) spoke out firmly against the attack. Ukraine stated that this event proved Russia remains a "real threat" to Europe. The strike marks a significant escalation in the conflict, as it is the first time during the four-year war that Romanian citizens have been physically hurt by stray drones.

Romanian President Nicușor Dan suggested that the drone was likely intercepted by Ukrainian air defenses. He stated that the strike altered the drone's flight path, sending it into Romanian territory. Later, Russian President Vladimir Putin questioned whether the drone was actually Russian. This incident is part of a larger pattern. Russian drones have crossed into Romanian airspace multiple times since the war began. However, previous incursions did not result in injuries.

The Romanian authority for emergency situations reported that the drone's entire explosive payload detonated upon impact. The blast caused a significant fire on the tenth floor of the apartment building. Two individuals suffered abrasions and were taken to the Galați County Emergency Clinical Hospital for treatment. Approximately 70 residents were evacuated from the building while firefighters put out the flames.

Romania’s defense ministry reported that two F-16 fighter jets were scrambled to intercept the threat. Brigadier General Gheorghe Maxim explained the tight timeline of the event. He stated that the Romanian army had only four minutes from the moment the drone was detected until it struck the building.

In a subsequent update, the ministry clarified that the "entire load" of the Geran 2 drone, also known as the Shahed 136, exploded upon impact. General Maxim highlighted the legal and strategic challenges facing Romanian forces. He noted that Romanian troops were under significant constraints. They could not fire weapons that would violate Ukrainian airspace. As General Maxim stated, "Ukraine is at war, but Romania is at peace. We cannot launch a projectile into Ukrainian airspace."

The Romanian military sought to reassure the public. They explained that this was not a direct attack on Romania but rather "a conflict at our border, with consequences for the local population." The country faces difficult defensive conditions in border areas near the River Danube, including Galați, when Russian drones attack Ukrainian ports like Reni and Izmail.

President Dan addressed the nation later on Friday. He detailed how the drone arrived in Romanian territory. He explained that a group of 43 drones approached from the east. Some were shot down over Ukraine. However, one drone was hit above the Ukrainian city of Reni. This collision changed its trajectory, leading it to strike Romania.

In response to the attack, President Dan announced that Romania would expel the Russian consul in the Black Sea port of Constanța. The consulate would also be shut down. Moscow warned that it would not take long to respond to these measures. President Dan also convened an emergency meeting of Romania’s Supreme Defence Council. He described the drone strike as "the most serious incident to have affected Romanian territory since the start of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine."

The Romanian foreign ministry requested accelerated transfers of anti-drone capabilities from Nato. Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed he had spoken with President Dan. Rutte assured Romania that the alliance "stands ready to defend every inch of allied territory." He added, "We will continue to enhance our readiness to deter and defend against any threat, including from drones."

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen posted on social media that Russia had crossed "another line." She emphasized the need to strengthen security on the Eastern border and increase pressure on Russia. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said the incident proved Russian aggression poses a real threat to the Black Sea region. He urged other nations to strengthen support for Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke with President Dan by phone. Zelensky expressed support for Romania. He stated, "We will be in constant communication with Romania and will continue to work together to protect life from all potential Russian threats."

Other world leaders also condemned the attack. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the drone hit a "serious violation" of Nato airspace. He affirmed that the UK stands "shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine, with Romania, and with all our Nato allies." French officials, the US Ambassador to Nato, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also issued statements of condemnation.

During a news briefing, President Putin claimed he had only just learned of the incident. He suggested that wreckage be handed over to Russia for an "objective investigation." Putin also pointed out that Ukrainian drones have previously strayed into EU countries. He argued this shows the complexity of the region's security situation.

Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Since then, several Nato countries have experienced drone incursions. For example, Poland blamed Russia for a drone strike on a field in the village of Osiny last August. Polish forces shot down two suspected Russian drones the following month. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk invoked Article 4 of the Nato Treaty, which requires urgent consultations among allies.

Romania’s defense ministry noted that fragments of Russian drones have been found on Romanian soil on 47 separate occasions since the war began. Twelve of these incidents occurred this year alone. Last month, drone fragments landed on the outskirts of Galați after a drone was detected near the Ukrainian border. At that time, Nato fighters were authorized to target drones but could not fire at one tracked by radar because it had not breached Romanian airspace.

Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that the Galați incident "showed yet again that the implications of [Russia's] illegal war of aggression don't stop at the border." In recent months, Baltic nations have also faced incidents involving Ukrainian drones. Kyiv claims these drones went off course after being jammed by Russian signals. The Galați incident highlights the dangerous spillover effects of the conflict on neighboring neutral and allied states.