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NATO on Alert After Russian drone hits apartment building in Romania
NATO has pledged to defend its territories after a Russian drone struck an apartment building in eastern Romania, injuring two people and raising fresh concerns that the war in Ukraine could spill further into alliance territory.
Romania's Defense Ministry said the drone entered Romanian airspace overnight during a large-scale Russian attack on neighboring Ukraine before crashing into a residential building in the city of Galați, near the Ukrainian border. A woman and a child suffered minor injuries while a fire broke out on the roof of the apartment block.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte condemned the incident and reaffirmed the alliance’s commitment to collective defense. “Russia’s reckless behaviour is a danger to us all,” Rutte said in a statement, adding that NATO is “ready to defend every inch” of allied territory.
Romanian security authorities reported that their radar systems detected the drone as it crossed into the country's airspace. Two F-16 fighter jets were scrambled, but the drone struck the building before it could be intercepted.
Romanian President Nicușor Dan described the incident as an unprecedented security breach and blamed Russia for the attack. “We will not accept the war of aggression waged by Russia against Ukraine being transferred to our citizens,” Dan said following an emergency security meeting.
The Romanian government has since announced diplomatic measures against Moscow, including the expulsion of Russia’s consul general in Constanța and the closure of the Russian consulate there.
The incident marks the first time since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine that a drone has injured civilians in a densely populated area inside Romania, a NATO and European Union member state.
Russia has denied responsibility for the incident. President Vladimir Putin said it was too early to determine the drone’s origin and called for further investigation.
Romania shares a 650-kilometer border with Ukraine and has experienced repeated drone incursions since Russia began targeting Ukrainian ports along the Danube River.
Russia has denied responsibility for the incident. President Vladimir Putin said it was too early to determine the drone’s origin and called for further investigation.
Romania shares a 650-kilometer border with Ukraine and has experienced repeated drone incursions since Russia began targeting Ukrainian ports along the Danube River.
