Police and forensic investigators are examining the site of impact after a Russian drone crashed into an apartment building in Galati, western Romania.
Daniel Mihailescu | AFP | Getty Images
Early Friday morning, a Russian drone crashed into an apartment building in NATO member Romania.
Romanian President Nikxo Dan said in a post on X on Friday morning that he convened the National Defense Council in response to what he called “the most serious incident affecting the country” since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in early 2022.
Dunn said the clash occurred in the city of Garasi, near the Romanian-Ukrainian border.
“I order appropriate measures in relations with the Russian Federation,” he said, adding that some people were injured in the strike. “The unprecedented nature of this event requires a decisive, coordinated and appropriate response at the national, allied and international levels.”
Dunn added that full responsibility lies with Russia and the “irresponsible and indiscriminate manner in which it operates these weapons systems so close to NATO borders, and its systematic disregard for international law.”
He said the Romanian military had received strong orders to act in accordance with established procedures and shoot down the drone as soon as the situation permitted. However, the decision was ultimately made not to shoot down the plane due to the “increased risk of endangering the safety of civilians.”
Mr Dunn said all NATO allies and EU member states had been informed about the incident. The government has called for additional NATO counter-drone capabilities to be deployed to Romania and plans to warn the UN Security Council about Russia’s “repeated violations of international law.”
The apartment building was attacked during a Russian attack on Ukrainian infrastructure near the Romania-Ukraine border, a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) spokesperson said on Friday morning.
“We condemn Russia’s recklessness and NATO will continue to strengthen our defenses against all threats, including drones.”
The spokesperson said NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte was in contact with Romanian authorities.
EU prepares new sanctions
“Russia’s war of aggression has crossed yet another red line,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a post on X on Friday morning.
“Russian drone incursions hit populated areas in Romania, injuring civilians, on EU territory,” she said. “We stand in full solidarity with Romania and its people. We will continue to increase pressure on Russia, especially as we continue to strengthen security and deterrence on our eastern borders.”
Von der Leyen added that the EU is preparing the 21st round of sanctions against Russia.
CNBC has reached out to the Russian government for comment.
Ukraine’s parliament on Thursday ratified a 90 billion euro ($104.6 billion) loan deal with the European Union.
Russia began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In 2014, it 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.
