In a significant escalation of tensions along NATO's eastern flank, a Russian drone strike has hit a residential area in the southeastern Romanian city of Galati. The incident, which occurred during an overnight attack on neighboring Ukraine, marks the first time in the current conflict that a drone has struck a densely populated area within Romania, resulting in casualties.
The drone, identified by the Romanian defense ministry as a Russian-origin Geran 2, struck the roof of a 10-story apartment building. The impact triggered an explosion, leading to a fire on the 10th floor. Emergency response agencies reported that 70 residents were evacuated from the building. While two people—a woman and her child—were hospitalized with minor injuries, several others were treated on-site for panic attacks.
Military officials provided insights into the challenge of intercepting the craft. Brigadier General Gheorghe Maxim revealed that the drone remained in Romanian airspace for approximately four minutes, flying at a low altitude that made radar detection exceptionally difficult. While the US-made anti-drone system Merops was operational, officials stated it would have been too risky to deploy within a city environment.
The diplomatic fallout has been immediate. Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu described the strike as a "serious violation of international law" and confirmed that the Russian ambassador has been summoned to the foreign ministry. Bucharest is now urging for an accelerated transfer of anti-drone capabilities to bolster its defenses.
This incident follows a pattern of increasing volatility. Romania, which shares a 650km border with Ukraine, has reported 28 instances of Russian drones breaching its airspace since Moscow began targeting ports across the Danube River. The European Commission head, Ursula von der Leyen, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that Russia had "crossed yet another line."
In response to the breach, the Romanian military scrambled two F-16 fighter jets and a military helicopter to monitor the airspace, with pilots authorized to shoot down any detected threats. Residents in the border counties of Braila, Galati, and Tulcea were advised to take cover during the operation.
As NATO continues to strengthen its defenses against drone threats, the event serves as a stark reminder of the risks of the conflict spilling over borders, creating new challenges for security and stability in Eastern Europe.
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Romania says Russian drone struck apartment block, injuring two
cgtn.com
