Romania’s Defence Ministry said on Friday that a Russian attack drone struck an apartment block in the city of Galati, close to the Ukrainian border, lightly injuring two people.
According to the ministry, the incident occurred overnight from 28 to 29 May, as Russia resumed drone attacks against civilian targets and infrastructure in Ukraine near Romania’s river border.
“One of these drones entered Romanian airspace, was tracked by radar to the southern part of the city of Galati, then crashed into the roof of an apartment block, causing a fire on impact,” the ministry said in a statement.
Drone incursions into Romania, a NATO member state, have been recorded repeatedly since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. However, this is the first time Bucharest has announced that such a weapon has hit a residential building on Romanian territory.
The ministry said two F-16 fighter jets were scrambled from the Fetesti air base after drones were detected near Romanian airspace. The aircraft were given clearance to engage the targets.
Romanian emergency services said the drone’s entire explosive payload detonated. Two residents were lightly injured but managed to leave the apartment on their own. They were treated at the scene for abrasions.
An air alert was declared across Ukraine overnight amid renewed Russian air attacks.
Romania Condemns ‘Serious Escalation’
Romania’s Foreign Minister, Oana Toiu, condemned what she described as a “serious and irresponsible escalation” by Russia following the incident.
“This incident represents a serious and irresponsible escalation by the Russian Federation,” Toiu said in a statement.
She added that Bucharest had informed its allies and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte about the situation and had requested measures to speed up the delivery of anti-drone capabilities to Romania.
Source: AMNA
