NATO strongly criticized Russia’s actions as “reckless” following an incident where a drone struck a 10-story residential building in southeast Romania, resulting in a fire and two individuals being injured.
The drone collided with the building in Galati, located in eastern Romania, during a Russian attack on Ukraine. This marks the first time in Russia’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine that a drone has hit a densely populated area in Romania, causing harm.
A spokesperson from NATO denounced Russia’s behavior and emphasized NATO’s commitment to enhancing defenses against various threats, including drones. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte engaged with Romanian authorities in response to the incident.
Romania’s defense ministry promptly deployed two F-16 fighter jets and a military helicopter to monitor the situation. The pilots were given authorization to intercept any drones, and residents in bordering counties were advised to seek shelter.
Given its proximity to Ukraine, Romania has encountered multiple instances of Russian drones breaching its airspace since the conflict began. The defense ministry reported 28 airspace violations, with drone fragments landing in Romania on 47 occasions.
In reaction to the violation, Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu announced plans to pursue diplomatic actions and requested expedited assistance in acquiring anti-drone capabilities. Ukrainian drones have also caused tensions by straying into Baltic countries’ airspace recently.
During the incident, a fire erupted on the 10th floor of the building after the drone’s impact, with two individuals receiving medical attention and 70 people evacuating the premises. The drone’s explosive payload detonated entirely, leading to the extinguishing of the fire.
Authorities lost radar contact with the drone as it approached the building at a low altitude. The drone caused damage to building infrastructure and vehicles, as confirmed by the Deputy Interior Minister.
In a separate occurrence, an unmanned drone lacking an explosive device was discovered in northwestern Romania, prompting an investigation into its origin and presence in the area.
Meanwhile, in southern Ukraine, the Izmail port in the Odesa region was attacked by multiple drones. Izmail, a critical location near the Romanian border, has been a frequent target due to its strategic importance.
Galati had previously experienced a drone incident in April, resulting in damage to property, and efforts were made to neutralize the drone safely.