Russian Drone Strikes Romanian Apartment Building, Injuring Two

A Russian drone carrying explosives struck the roof of a 10-story apartment building in the Romanian city of Galati early Friday, injuring two residents and igniting a fire that forced the evacuation of 70 people. The incident occurred during a large-scale Russian attack on neighboring Ukraine and has raised immediate questions about whether the breach of NATO airspace was deliberate or accidental.

Romanian radar tracked the drone entering national airspace shortly after 1 a.m. Two F-16 fighters and an IAR-330 helicopter scrambled at 1:19 a.m. with orders to engage, but commanders held fire to avoid civilian casualties on the ground. The drone continued until it hit the building. Romania’s Defense Ministry confirmed the aircraft originated from the Russian strike package aimed at Ukraine.

President Nicusor Dan called the event the most serious violation of Romanian territory since Russia’s 2022 invasion and convened an emergency meeting of the Supreme Council of National Defense. Foreign Minister Oana Toiu summoned the Russian ambassador and warned of diplomatic consequences and new EU sanctions measures. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated the alliance stands ready to defend every inch of allied territory, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the strike as another line crossed by Russia’s war.

Similar airspace violations have occurred in Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and Finland in recent months, including one episode that contributed to a government collapse in Latvia. Romania has requested accelerated delivery of anti-drone systems under the EU’s SAFE program. Ukrainian officials pledged cooperation on air defense, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged immediate de-escalation. No independent evidence has yet established whether the drone’s path into Romania was intentional.