Russian Drone Crashes into Romanian Apartment Building, Injuring Two

A Russian drone crashed into an apartment building in the Romanian city of Galați early Friday, injuring two people and causing a fire on the roof that was quickly extinguished, Romanian authorities reported. The incident occurred amid a large-scale Russian drone and missile attack on Ukraine, with some drones crossing into Romanian airspace.

Romanian officials said the drone was among 232 drones and one ballistic missile launched by Russia against Ukraine late Thursday night, according to Ukrainian military reports. Radar detected multiple drones entering Romanian airspace near the Danube River border with Ukraine. Romania scrambled two F-16 fighter jets and a helicopter, which were authorized to shoot down the drones.

“This incident represents a serious and irresponsible escalation by the Russian Federation,” Romanian Foreign Affairs Minister Oana-Silvia Țoiu said. She added that Romania had summoned the Russian ambassador and would take necessary diplomatic measures in response to what she called a “serious violation of international law and of its airspace.”

NATO, of which Romania is a member, condemned the attack. NATO spokeswoman Allison Hart stated, “We condemn Russia’s recklessness, and NATO will continue to strengthen our defenses against all threats, including drones.”

European Union President Ursula von der Leyen said Russia’s “war of aggression has crossed yet another line.”

The Ukrainian military reported shooting down 217 of the 232 drones, but 14 drones and the ballistic missile penetrated defenses and struck targets in Ukraine. The Romanian Ministry of National Defense confirmed the drone crash in Galați caused a fire on the roof, which local emergency services extinguished. Two people sustained abrasions and received medical treatment.

This is the first known instance of a Russian drone striking a residential building in Romania, though drone incursions into Romanian airspace have been detected multiple times since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began in 2022. Drone incursions have also been reported in other NATO countries bordering Ukraine and Russia, including Poland and Latvia.

The incident has raised concerns about the risk of the conflict spilling over into NATO territory, which could trigger collective defense measures under Article 5 of the NATO treaty. Romanian and European officials voiced alarm over the escalation. Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė warned, “This must not become a new reality that we simply grow accustomed to.” Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot called the attack “unacceptable and irresponsible,” while Finnish President Alexander Stubb accused Russia of “crossing another line in its war of aggression against Ukraine.”

In the United States, Representative Joe Wilson condemned the attack, stating on social media that Russia “belligerently and unprovoked, has attacked Romania,” and criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for targeting families in their homes.

As of early Friday morning, Russian officials had not issued a comment on the drone crash in Romania.