Leaders of NATO and the European Union have condemned a drone strike that hit a residential apartment building in Romania, wounding two people and escalating tensions linked to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Romanian authorities said the drone crashed into an apartment block in the city of Galati early Friday, sparking a fire and injuring a 14-year-old boy and a 53-year-old woman.
The Romanian Defence Ministry described the incident as “a serious and irresponsible escalation” by Russia, noting that it marked the first time a residential building outside Ukraine had been struck since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.
According to officials, the drone entered Romanian airspace during overnight Russian attacks on targets in Ukraine near the Danube River border region.
The ministry said the drone was tracked by radar before crashing into the roof of the apartment building.
Romania scrambled two F-16 fighter jets after detecting drones near its airspace, but military officials said there was insufficient time to safely intercept the aircraft.
General Gheorghe Maxim of Romania’s Joint Forces Command said the military had only four minutes to respond, adding that engaging the drone could have posed greater danger to civilians.
Romanian President Nicusor Dan convened a national defence council meeting following the attack and announced the expulsion of Russia’s consul general in the Black Sea city of Constanta.
Romania also summoned the Russian ambassador and requested accelerated delivery of anti-drone defence systems from NATO allies.
Dan later disclosed that he had discussed the incident with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, who assured him of the alliance’s support.
“Russia’s reckless behaviour is a danger to us all,” Rutte wrote on social media, reaffirming NATO’s commitment to defend allied territory.
European leaders also strongly condemned the strike.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Russia’s “war of aggression” had crossed another line and pledged stronger deterrence measures along the EU’s eastern border.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz described the incident as evidence of Russia’s “willingness to escalate,” while British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned what he called a serious violation of NATO airspace.
The United States also backed Romania, with US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker describing the incident as a “reckless incursion.”
Meanwhile, Volodymyr Zelensky urged European allies to impose tougher sanctions on Russia, saying the attack demonstrated the broader threat posed by the conflict to the Black Sea region and Europe.
Russia has not officially admitted responsibility for the drone strike, although Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova dismissed the international reaction as exaggerated and warned of retaliatory measures following Romania’s diplomatic response.
NATO officials said investigations into the incident are ongoing, while discussions continue over additional defensive measures for Romania and neighbouring states along the alliance’s eastern flank.
