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Drone hits Galati flats
A Russian drone crashed onto the roof of a 10-story apartment building in the southeastern Romanian city of Galați during the night of May 28-29, triggering a fire and injuring two people.
Romania’s Defense Ministry said the drone was tracked by radar as far as the southern part of the city of Galați before it fell onto the building, and it said the impact triggered a fire.
The incident prompted NATO-member Romania to scramble two F-16 fighter jets and a helicopter, and a NATO official told CBS News that NATO flew an Airborne Early Warning E-3A aircraft to increase air-domain awareness after the Russian incursion into Romania’s airspace.
Romania’s General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations said the drone hit the 10-story building, two people sustained light injuries, and the apartment building was evacuated, while the fire was extinguished.
NPR reported that in response to the crash, Romania asked NATO for a faster transfer of anti-drone capabilities to its military, calling the drone’s flight a serious violation of international law.
Condemnations and denials
Romania’s Foreign Ministry called the incident a "grave and irresponsible escalation from Russia," and it said Bucharest requested measures to accelerate the transfer of anti-drone capabilities to Romania.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte vowed that the alliance would defend "every inch" of Allied territory, while the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Russia had "crossed yet another line."
Russia’s response included Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov being cited by TASS as saying President Vladimir Putin was informed about the incident, and Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the accusations were unsubstantiated.
Putin also questioned whether the drone was Russian, asking reporters in Astana, Kazakhstan: "Who in Romania says that this is a Russian drone?"
The Guardian reported that NATO’s SHAPE spokesperson said the drone was "of Russian origin," despite Putin and the Russian foreign ministry’s attempts to question responsibility for the incident.
What’s at stake next
Romania said it would close the Russian consulate in Constanța and expel the consul after the drone crash, and it also summoned the Russian ambassador to the Foreign Ministry.
“Romania and its NATO allies have reacted angrily after a Russian drone crashed into an apartment building in eastern Romania, injuring two people”
NPR reported that Romanian President Nicusor Dan convened the NATO member’s top defense body for a meeting on Friday to discuss the implications of what he called "the worst incident to hit the national territory" since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha pledged that "Ukraine stands firmly by Romania" and said the bid to strengthen Ukraine’s air defence is a "strategic task" to protect not only Ukraine but also reduce risks for neighbouring countries.
CBS News said NATO accused Russia of reckless behavior and pledged to "defend every inch of Allied territory," while the Romanian Defense Ministry said the drone entered Romanian airspace only minutes before striking the apartment building in Galați.
The incident also fed into broader NATO and EU pressure, with DW reporting that Romania informed allies and NATO’s secretary general and requested measures to accelerate anti-drone capabilities, and with Al Jazeera describing the crash as raising concern about the risk of an open confrontation between Russia and NATO states.
