Russian Drone Crashes In NATO Member Romania

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — It was part of a Russian drone. Night attack on Ukraine crashed into an apartment building eastern RomaniaRomanian officials stated that two people were injured in the NATO member country, raising concerns that the four-year war could spread to the alliance borders.

In response to the crash in the city of Galati, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Romania asked the alliance for a faster transfer of anti-drone capabilities to its army, describing the flight of the drone as a serious violation of international law.

The attack was the latest in a series of drone incidents. From both Russia and Ukraine – To embarrass NATO member states and strain the alliance, prompting harsh condemnations from Romania’s allies.

Gen. Gheorghe Maxim, acting commander of the joint staff of the Romanian armed forces, said at a press conference on Friday that the incident was “not an attack by Russia against Romania” but that “Romanians must understand that Russia is a threat to the security of countries in the region.”

Police and other institutions intervened where the photographs were found. Galati is located on the Danube River, close to the borders of Ukraine and Moldova.

Ukrainian forces shot down 217 drones overnight on Friday, according to the country’s air force. Russia attacked with a total of 232 drones and 1 ballistic missile. The air force said hits were recorded in 14 areas.

In the statement made by the Romanian Ministry of Defense, it was stated that the drone was tracked by radar in Romanian airspace and fell on the roof of a building in Galati. A fire broke out after the impact. Two people were slightly injured in the incident, and many people were evacuated.

While there is Romania verified drone parts on their territory No one has ever been injured in any of the drone incidents since the war began in 2022, including Galati in April this year, with many landing in remote areas.

In response to the latest attack, Romanian President Nicusor Dan summoned the NATO member’s top defense body to a meeting on Friday to discuss the consequences of what he called “the worst incident to hit national territory” since Russia invaded Ukraine and directly blamed Russia for the incident.

“We will have proportionate measures in relation to the Russian Federation. … There is no uncertainty as to the author and motive of this attack,” he wrote in a post on Facebook.

Dan added that his thoughts are with the injured, families and residents “who are experiencing horrific moments in their own homes.”

The Romanian military launched two F-16 fighter jets and a helicopter authorized to attack targets, and warning messages were sent to affected residents.

Airspace violations have become so common in Romania in recent years that lawmakers last year passed a law allowing the military to shoot down drones that enter its airspace as a last resort. However, Romania has been cautious about shooting down errant drones that could pose a risk to densely populated areas.

Russia is using long-range ballistic missiles and drones to damage Ukraine’s power grid and hammer cities, and Ukraine is preparing for more heavy bombardment.

The latest incident adds to the drone-related problems that have recently emerged in Europe. In recent months, Ukrainian drones crashed into the chimney of a power plant in Estonia, crashed into empty fuel tanks in Latvia, and Shot down by Romanian warplanes stationed in Lithuania. Ukrainian officials apologized and said the drones were targeting military targets inside Russia but were diverted off course due to Russian electronic interference.

Poland, Croatia, Romania and non-NATO countries since the start of the war in 2022 moldova They reported airspace violations and found drone parts on their territory.

Series of airspace violations prompted action Questions about the state of air defenses on NATO’s eastern flank

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said he met with the Romanian president and expressed the organization’s “absolute solidarity” with its ally.

In a post on

NATO allies have been talking informally about the attack, but there would be no official meeting about it on Friday. Romania may request official NATO consultations if it considers its territory or security to be threatened.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also said that the incident showed that Russia had “crossed another line”. He said the EU would continue to strengthen security along its eastern border and was actively drafting a new set of sanctions against Russia, the 21st so far.

“Russian drone strike hit a densely populated area in Romania, injuring civilians,” he wrote in a social media post. “On EU territory.”

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said the risk of such “serious incidents” increased as follows: ” Putin’s anxiety growsdue to military failures.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said thursday He was pressing the United States to provide more Patriot air defense missiles that could counter Russian attacks.

He warned that deliveries to Ukraine were dangerously short Iran war directs and The USA is depleting its stocks. Speaking to reporters during his visit to Sweden, Zelenskyy said, “I believe that the USA should act faster. We are being very persistent.”

UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned the UN Security Council that an escalation and intensification of attacks risks spiraling out of control and could lead to “unknown and unintended consequences.” He said more civilians were killed in the first four months of this year than in the same period in the last three years.

Guterres called for more diplomacy, immediate de-escalation and a “complete and unconditional ceasefire”.