Russian drone hits apartment block in NATO state Romania
Police and forensic investigators are examining the location of the impact that occurred after a Russian drone crashed into an apartment building in Galati, western Romania.
Daniel Mihailescu | Afp | Getty Images
A Russian drone crashed into an apartment building in NATO member Romania early Friday morning.
Romanian President Nicusor Dan said: to mail On Friday morning at
The collision occurred in Galati, a city near Romania’s border with Ukraine, Dan said.
“We will take proportionate measures in relation to the Russian Federation,” he said, adding that the strike resulted in injuries. “The unprecedented nature of the incident requires a robust, coordinated and appropriate response at national, allied and international levels.”
Dan added that full responsibility lies with Russia and “Moscow’s irresponsible and indiscriminate operation of these weapon systems in the immediate vicinity of NATO borders, as well as its systematic disregard for international law.”
He said the Romanian armed forces were acting in accordance with established procedures and were under strict orders to shoot down the UAV as soon as conditions permitted. However, it was ultimately decided not to shoot down the plane due to the “increased risk of endangering civil security”.
Dan said all NATO allies and EU member states were informed of the incident. His government has requested the deployment of additional NATO anti-drone capabilities to Romania and will warn the UN Security Council that Russia has “repeatedly violated international law”.
The apartment building was hit as a result of Russia’s attack on Ukrainian infrastructure near the border between Romania and Ukraine, a NATO spokesman said on Friday morning.
“We condemn Russia’s recklessness and NATO will continue to strengthen our defense against all threats, including unmanned aerial vehicles,” they said.
According to the spokesman, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is in contact with Romanian officials.
EU is preparing for new sanctions
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a post on the subject: X “Russia’s war of aggression has crossed another line,” Friday morning.
“The Russian drone strike hit a densely populated area in Romania, injuring civilians. It is on EU territory,” he said. “We stand in full solidarity with Romania and its people. We will continue to increase the pressure on Russia, while continuing to strengthen our security and deterrence, especially on our Eastern border.”
Von der Leyen added that the EU is preparing the 21st sanctions package against Russia.
CNBC has reached out to the Russian government for comment.
Ukraine’s parliament approved a 90 billion euro ($104.6 billion) loan agreement with the EU on Thursday.
Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In 2014, Russia invaded and annexed Crimea, a peninsula in southern Ukraine. That same year, armed conflict broke out in eastern Ukraine between government forces and Russian-backed separatists.
