NATO has hit out at Russian “recklessness”, after one of its drones hit a Romanian apartment block, injuring two people. On Friday the eastern city of Galati was hit during an overnight Russian attack on neighbouring Ukraine, causing a fire and significant damage. It marks the first time in Russia’s four-year war on Ukraine that a drone has hit a densely populated area in the NATO member and caused injuries. A NATO spokesperson wrote on X on Friday morning: “We condemn Russia’s recklessness, and NATO
will continue to strengthen our defences against all threats, including drones.” The spokesperson said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte was in contact with Romanian authorities. Romania’s defence ministry said it scrambled two F-16 fighter jets and a military helicopter to monitor the attack. The pilots were authorised to shoot down any drones, while residents in the border counties of Braila, Galati and Tulcea were warned to take cover. Romania, which shares a 400-mile land border with Ukraine, has experienced Russian drones breaching its airspace 28
times since Moscow began attacking Kyiv’s ports across the Danube river, according to the defence ministry. Romanian law allows the military to shoot down drones during peacetime if lives or property are at risk, although it has not yet done so. The ministry added that drone fragments have fallen on Romanian territory 47 times since the war began. “Romania will take the necessary diplomatic measures in response to this serious violation of international law and its airspace,” Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu said on X.
“Romania has informed the Allies and the NATO Secretary General of the circumstances and has requested measures to accelerate the transfer of anti-drone capabilities to Romania.” In Friday’s incident, Romania’s emergency response agency said a fire broke out on the 10th floor of the apartment building after the drone struck the roof and its entire explosive payload detonated. Around 70 residents evacuated the building and two people received medical treatment at the scene, it said. The fire was later extinguished. State news agency Agerpres, citing
Galati’s emergency response agency, reported a woman and her child were taken to hospital with minor injuries and that two others were treated at the scene for panic attacks. Deputy Interior Minister Raed Arafat, who oversees the emergency response agency, told private broadcaster Digi24 that the drone affected two stairwells and damaged five cars. Another suspected Russian drone struck Galati in April, damaging an electricity pole and an outbuilding, although there were no injuries. Officials retrieved the drone and remotely detonated its unexploded payload. Meanwhile,
local authorities in southern Ukraine said the Izmail port in the Odesa region came under attack from several drones early on Friday. Izmail, close to the Romanian border, is home to the largest Ukrainian port on the Danube River and is a frequently targeted strategic location.
NATO, Romania, Galați, drone strike, Russian drones, Ukraine, Mark Rutte, F-16, airspace violation, anti-drone capabilities, Oana Toiu, Raed Arafat, Izmail port