According to multiple reports, an apartment building in Romania was struck by a Russian drone during an attack against Ukrainian infrastructure near the border.

Romania is a NATO country.

“Early this morning, an apartment building in Romania was struck by a drone as Russia attacked Ukrainian infrastructure near the border. @SecGenNATO is in touch with Romanian authorities. We condemn Russia’s recklessness, and NATO will continue to strengthen our defences against all threats, including drones,” NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said.

More from The New York Times:

It was the first known time that a Russian drone had caused damage and injuries in a major urban area on the territory of the Western military alliance.

ADVERTISEMENT

Russian drones have repeatedly crashed without causing casualties along the Danube River border between Romania and Ukraine since 2023. But the drone crash on Friday, on the roof of a residential compound in the port city, Galati, sharply escalated tensions between NATO and Moscow.

The episode comes amid heightened fears that Russia might seek to expand the war beyond Ukraine to target a member of the NATO security alliance. Ukraine is not a member of NATO, but Romania is.

The extensive use of drones by both Russia and Ukraine since the start of Moscow’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 has caused deep alarm across Europe’s formerly communist Eastern flank, testing NATO’s resolve to push back against Russia without provoking a wider conflict.

The episode left residents of the building shocked and apprehensive about how the drone could penetrate Romanian territory. “We are not defended, we are not protected,” said Mariana Arhip, 69. “How is this possible? Don’t we have air defenses?”

Another resident, 72, who gave only her first name, Mariana, said she had heard an explosion but did not know what had happened, adding: “I could not imagine it was a drone.” She fled the building after drivers outside shouted “get out, it’s burning up.”

“I just spoke with President @NicusorDanRO of Romania about the Russian drone that hit a residential building in Galati. I assured him of NATO’s absolute solidarity with Romania and expressed sympathy for those injured in the incident. I affirmed that NATO stands ready to defend every inch of Allied territory. We will continue to enhance our readiness to deter and defend against any threat, including from drones,” NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said.

“Russia’s reckless behaviour is a danger to us all. They continue to target civilians and civilian infrastructure across Ukraine. And last night showed yet again that the implications of their illegal war of aggression don’t stop at the border. Russia’s war needs to end, as does Russia’s disregard for civilian safety. For our part, we will continue to strengthen our deterrence and defence at home and continue our support for Ukraine as they defend against Russia’s aggression,” he continued.

“Citizens of EU countries, You should realize your authorities have unilaterally entered into a war with Russia. So be vigilant and don’t be surprised by anything. The peaceful sleep is over. But you know who to ask why!” said Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chair of the Security Council of Russia.

The Associated Press shared further:

ADVERTISEMENT

Romania scrambled two F-16 fighter jets and a helicopter, and sent alerts to residents of the affected areas, but the aircraft didn’t engage or shoot at the drone in the city, which is located near the borders of Ukraine and Moldova.

Romania asked NATO to speed up the transfer of anti-drone capabilities to its military, the Foreign Ministry said, calling the incursion a serious violation of international law.

Asked about the drone during a state visit to Astana, Kazakhstan, Russian President Vladimir Putin said its origin is yet to be determined, telling reporters that “no one can say what origin a particular aircraft has until it has been examined.” He urged Romania to turn the drone over to Russia for it to conduct “an objective investigation.”

But Romanian President Nicusor Dan identified the drone as Russian.

“We had a Russian drone, Geran-2, leaving Russia. We know the trajectory, we know where it went through Ukraine, we know where it entered Romania, part of a swarm of 43 Russian drones, of which only one reached Romanian territory,” a statement from Dan said.

Watch video coverage below:

 

Join The Conversation. Leave a Comment.