A Russian unmanned aerial vehicle struck a Romanian residential apartment building overnight in the eastern town of Galati, situated close to Romania’s frontier with Ukraine, resulting in injuries to two individuals, according to authorities.
A Russian drone hit a Romanian residential apartment building overnight in the eastern town of Galati close to Romania's border with Ukraine, injuring two people, officials said.
Romania’s Ministry of National Defense stated on Friday morning that inquiries are ongoing following the occurrence, adding that the Ministry “firmly condemns the irresponsible actions of the Russian Federation.” These events, it asserts, “demonstrate the Russian Federation’s disregard for the principles of international law.”
Russia has not yet provided a direct response to Romania’s allegations, but Maria Zakharova, representing the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, informed the Russian news agency TASS that “the commotion surrounding the drone in Romania is necessary for Westerners to divert attention from Zelensky’s murder of children in Starobilsk, which was carried out with funding and support from the EU.”
The president of Romania conveyed via social media on Friday morning that the drone strike is “the most significant incident to impact the national territory” since the commencement of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and that it necessitates “a strong, coordinated, and suitable reaction.”
Concurrently, Toiu Oana from Romania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs referred to the incident as “a serious and reckless escalation by the Russian Federation.”
This photo released by Romania’s Department for Emergency Situations shows a fire on top of a block of flats after a drone crash caused an explosion and fire on impact, in Galati, eastern Romania near the Ukrainian border, Friday May 29, 2026.ISU Galati via AP
“Russia’s reckless conduct poses a threat to us all. They persist in targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure throughout Ukraine. And last night demonstrated once more that the consequences of their unlawful war of aggression do not cease at the border,” stated Mark Rutte, Secretary General of NATO, on X. “Russia’s war must conclude, as must Russia’s disregard for civilian safety. For our part, we shall continue to bolster our deterrence and defense domestically and persist in our assistance to Ukraine as they defend against Russia’s aggression.”
Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Union, echoed Rutte’s sentiments on social media, remarking that “Russia’s war of aggression has transgressed yet another boundary” and that she stands “in complete solidarity” with Romania and its populace.
“Preliminary findings suggest that the entire payload of the Geran 2 drone, of Russian origin, detonated upon impact,” according to Romania’s Ministry of National Defense. “The two individuals who sustained injuries were conveyed to the Galați County Emergency Clinical Hospital.”
“The Ministry of National Defense strongly denounces the irresponsible actions of the Russian Federation and underscores that they constitute a new challenge to regional security and stability in the Black Sea region,” the Romanian defense officials elaborated. “[They] jeopardize not only the safety of Romanian citizens but also the collective security of NATO.”
Sourse: abcnews.go.com