BUCHAREST, May 29 (BV)— Romania requested additional NATO counter-drone capabilities on Friday after a Russian drone hit a residential building in the eastern city of Galați, in what President Nicușor Dan called the most serious incident on Romanian territory since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Romanian authorities said the drone entered national airspace during a Russian attack on Ukrainian targets near the Danube border, was tracked by radar and crashed into the roof of a 10-storey apartment building.
Two people suffered minor injuries and around 70 residents were evacuated after the impact triggered a fire.
Dan convened an emergency meeting of Romania’s Supreme Council of National Defence and said Bucharest would take proportionate measures against Russia.
Romania later announced it would close the Russian consulate in Constanța and expel the Russian consul.
“The Russian Federation bears full responsibility for this incident,” Dan said. “Romania is a NATO member state and will under no circumstances accept that Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine should have repercussions on its citizens.”
Romania’s Defence Ministry said two F-16 fighter jets and an IAR 330 SOCAT helicopter were scrambled after drones were detected near Romanian airspace. Officials said pilots were authorised to engage targets during the alert, but the drone was not shot down because conditions did not allow it to be destroyed without endangering civilians.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said he had spoken with Dan and assured Romania of the alliance’s “absolute solidarity.”
“NATO stands ready to defend every inch of allied territory,” Rutte said. “Russia’s reckless behaviour is a danger to us all.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Russia had “crossed yet another line,” adding that the EU would continue strengthening security on its eastern border and preparing further sanctions against Moscow.
European Council President António Costa also condemned the incident, calling it a violation of Romania’s airspace and international law.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said the strike showed that Russian aggression posed a direct threat to the Black Sea region and the whole of Europe.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the incident proved the need for a stronger NATO presence on the eastern flank, while France and Austria summoned Russian ambassadors in protest.
Russian President Vladimir Putin questioned whether the drone was Russian, saying its origin could not be determined before an examination of the wreckage. Moscow said it would respond to Romania’s decision to close the consulate.
Romania has recorded dozens of drone incursions since Russia began attacking Ukrainian ports along the Danube. But Friday’s incident was the first time civilians in Romania were injured after a drone hit a residential building.
The incident is expected to intensify debate inside NATO over drone defence, eastern flank security and the protection of member states bordering Ukraine.