NATO and European Union Condemn Russia After Drone Strikes Apartment Block in Romania, Injuring Two

A Russian drone struck a block of flats in Romania on Friday, sparking a fire and injuring two people, according to Romanian officials. The incident occurred in the eastern town of Galați, near the border with Ukraine, and drew condemnation from Romania’s fellow members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union. Ukraine stated the event demonstrated that Russia poses "a real threat" to Europe.

Drone Strike and Casualties

Romanian President Nicușor Dan said the drone was likely hit by Ukrainian air defenses over Kyiv’s territory, altering its trajectory. Russian President Vladimir Putin later questioned whether the drone was Russian. Drones fired by Russia have strayed into Romania multiple times during the four-year war with Ukraine, but this marks the first instance of Romanian citizens being injured. Romania’s emergency situations authority reported that the drone’s entire explosive payload detonated, causing a fire on the 10th floor of the residential building. Two individuals suffering from abrasions required medical treatment and were transported to the Galați County Emergency Clinical Hospital. Approximately 70 people were evacuated as firefighters extinguished the blaze.

Military Response and Constraints

Romania’s defense ministry stated that two F-16 fighter jets were scrambled after the drones were detected. Brigadier General Gheorghe Maxim said the army had only four minutes from the moment the drone was detected to the time of impact. The ministry later updated its report, indicating that it appeared the "entire load" of the Geran 2 drone—also known as a Shahed 136—had exploded upon impact. General Maxim explained that Romanian forces operated under significant constraints, as they could not fire munitions that would violate Ukrainian airspace. "Ukraine is at war, but Romania is at peace. We cannot launch a projectile into Ukrainian airspace," he said. The Romanian military sought to reassure the public that the incident was not an attack on the country but rather "a conflict at our border, with consequences for the local population."

Political and Diplomatic Fallout

Speaking during a visit to Galați later on Friday, President Dan said the drone was likely struck while over Ukraine, apparently by Ukrainian air defenses. "There was a group of 43 drones coming from the east. Some were shot down over Ukraine, and one was hit above the [Ukrainian] city of Reni, which altered its trajectory." Dan also announced that his administration would expel the Russian consul in the Black Sea port of Constanța and shut down the consulate. Moscow responded by stating it "won’t take long" to retaliate. President Dan convened an emergency meeting of Romania’s Supreme Defence Council, describing the Russian drone strike as "the most serious incident to have affected Romanian territory since the start of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine." Romania’s foreign ministry said Bucharest had "requested measures to accelerate the transfer of anti-drone capabilities to Romania" from NATO.

International Reaction

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said he had spoken with President Dan and assured him that the alliance "stands ready to defend every inch of allied territory." "We will continue to enhance our readiness to deter and defend against any threat, including from drones," Rutte added. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X: "Russia’s war of aggression has crossed yet another line." "As we continue strengthening our security and deterrence, especially on our Eastern border, we will keep increasing the pressure on Russia," she said. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha stated the incident "proved once again that Russian aggression poses a real threat to the Black Sea region." He urged other countries to strengthen support for Ukraine and increase pressure.

Context: The incident follows previous instances of Russian drone debris landing in Romania during the conflict, including a 2023 episode where fragments of a Shahed drone were found near the Danube River close to the Ukrainian border. In another case in 2024, Romanian authorities recovered parts of a Geran 2 drone in a rural area near the town of Tulcea, though no injuries were reported in those events.