A Russian attack drone hit the roof of an apartment building in southeastern Romania on Friday, according to Romanian authorities, sharply increasing tensions between the NATO member and Moscow.
The drone reportedly crashed early Friday on the roof of a residential building in the city of Galati, which sits near Romania’s southern border with Moldova. At least two people were injured because of the crash, authorities said.
Romania said it scrambled two F-16 fighter jets and a military helicopter following the crash.
Nicusor Dan, Romania’s president, said the crash was unprecedented and required a “coordinated and appropriate response.” He added that he had summoned the national defense council and would determine how to respond proportionally to Russia’s actions.
Russia has thus far not issued a formal response to the drone crash.
Russian drones have repeatedly crashed near Ukraine’s border with Romania since Moscow began its invasion in 2022. However, Friday’s incident is the first of its kind to strike so far within Romanian territory, and the first to cause casualties.
Russian drones have also been spotted in the airspace of Baltic countries over the past few months.
Unlike Ukraine, Romania is a NATO member, meaning that Russian aggression in its territory would bring extreme consequences.
NATO and European Union leaders lashed out at Russia on Friday, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen insisting that Moscow’s “war of aggression has crossed yet another line.”
Mr. Dan also invoked Romania’s NATO membership in his remarks covering the crash.
“Romania is a NATO member state and will not accept, in any way, the war of aggression waged by Russia against Ukraine to be transferred onto its citizens,” he said.
NATO, for its part, called the crash “reckless” and promised to increase deterrence efforts.
“Russia’s reckless behaviour is a danger to us all. Last night showed yet again that the implications of their illegal war of aggression don’t stop at the border,” NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte wrote on X. “We will continue to strengthen our deterrence and defence at home and continue our support for Ukraine as they defend against Russia’s aggression.”
Romanian authorities have not said they plan to invoke Article 4 of the ANTO charter, which allows any member nation to request formal consultations with the council if it feels its security is threatened.
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