NATO condemns 'reckless' Russian drone strike on Romanian residential building

Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has said "Russia's reckless behavior is a danger to us all," after a drone struck a residential building in Galati, Romania, overnight on May 29, injuring two people.

Galati, located in eastern Romania, is only 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the tripoint border of Moldova, Romania, and Ukraine, near southern Odesa Oblast.

Throughout the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russian drones have repeatedly crossed into NATO territory, including Romania.

"(T)he Russian Federation resumed drone attacks on civilian and infrastructure targets in Ukraine, in the vicinity of the river border with Romania," a statement from Romania's Defense Ministry read.

"A drone entered Romanian airspace, being tracked by radar to the southern area of ​​the city of Galati, and crashed onto the roof of a block of apartments, the impact sparking a fire."

After radars detected drones flying near Romanian airspace, two F-16 jets and a military helicopter took off with authorization to engage targets, the Romanian Defense Ministry added.

Two people were injured in the strike, and 70 people were evacuated from the damaged building, local authorities said, according to Romanian outlet Viata Libera.

The explosive charge of the drone detonated, starting a fire at the scene, officials said, adding that there was no longer a need to evacuate from other parts of the struck residential building.

Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russian President Vladimir Putin was "aware" of the incident.

President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on X that overnight on May 29, Russian forces carried out a "deliberate strike" on Odesa Oblast, which borders Romania.

"This was yet another cynical attack on civilian infrastructure in our cities and in our waters, targeting civilian container ships. One of the drones... also struck an ordinary residential building in Romania. We wish those injured a speedy recovery. We are ready to support Romania in whatever way is necessary under these circumstances," Zelensky said.

Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu said on X that the incident is a "serious and irresponsible escalation" by Russia.

"Romania will take the necessary diplomatic response measures regarding this serious violation of international law and of its airspace," Toiu said.

According to Toiu, Romania informed European member states, the Allies, and the NATO Secretary General of the circumstances and requested measures to accelerate the transfer of anti-drone capabilities to Romania.

"Romania will act with the utmost determination to increase international pressure on the Russian Federation with a view to achieving an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire," Toiu said.

Romania’s Foreign Ministry has summoned the Russian ambassador in response to the strike. President Nicușor Dan said after a May 29 meeting of Romania’s Supreme Council of National Defense that Russia’s consul general in Constanța had been declared persona non grata and that the Russian Consulate General in the city would be closed, public broadcaster Radio România Actualități reported.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said after the drone incursion that Russia poses a "real threat" to the Black Sea region and all of Europe.

"Strengthening support to Ukraine and increasing pressure on the aggressor, including through tougher sanctions, remain critical… Bolstering Ukraine's air defense is also a strategic task — to protect not only our country, but also reduce risks for our neighbours," Sybiha said.

He added that Ukraine stands by Romania and is ready to work closely to strengthen protection from such threats.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that "Russia's war of aggression has crossed yet another line."

She condemned the Russian drone incursion on a densely populated area in Romania, a member of the European Union, and expressed solidarity with the people of Romania.

"As we continue strengthening our security and deterrence, especially on our Eastern border, we will keep increasing the pressure on Russia. We are preparing a 21st package of sanctions," von der Leyen said.

Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, wrote on X that "Russia has long ago stopped respecting borders."

"Moscow cannot be allowed to breach European airspace with impunity."

NATO Spokesperson Allison Hart said that Rutte was in touch with Romanian authorities and that NATO will continue to strengthen its defenses against all threats, including drones.

Alexander Stubb, the Finnish president, said that the drone attack is being discussed within NATO.

Romanian President Nicusor Dan convened an emergency meeting of Romania's Supreme Council of National Defense on May 29 following "the most serious incident" affecting Romanian territory since the start of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine.

Dan said Romanian authorities had informed NATO allies and EU partners about the incident in real time, formally requested additional allied anti-drone capabilities on Romanian territory, and would notify the UN Security Council over "Russia's repeated violations of international law."

Dan said the Romanian Armed Forces had followed established procedures and were under orders to shoot down the drone "as soon as conditions allowed" without risking civilian casualties or destruction on the ground. According to the president, authorities ultimately decided not to engage the target because it could not be destroyed "without significantly endangering the safety of the civilian population."

Romanian authorities have since launched a full investigation into the drone incident, including technical examinations of the recovered fragments to determine the weapon type and flight trajectory.

"The responsibility for this incident lies entirely with the Russian Federation," Dan said. He added that Romania "will not accept, under any circumstances, that Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine be transferred onto its citizens."

On May 16, Romania's Defense Ministry reported that an unexploded projectile was discovered on a property near the country's border with Ukraine.

"Technical checks confirmed the presence of two kilograms (4.4 lbs) of explosives in the projectile body," the statement read.

Russia regularly strikes Ukrainian civilian infrastructure, including residential buildings and energy infrastructure, as it continues to wage its war.

On May 27, Russia struck a children's playground in the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson, killing one person and injuring four others, including two children, local authorities said.

A funeral procession on the outskirts of the northeastern city of Sumy was struck by a Russian drone in the morning of May 23 in what regional authorities described as a "cynical attack," killing one person and injuring fourteen others.