NATO member Romania said on Friday that a drone injured two people in a southeastern city during an overnight Russian attack on neighbouring Ukraine, the first time in the war that a drone had hit a densely populated area in Romania and caused injuries.
The incident in Romania, also a member of the European Union, was likely to increase tensions on NATO's eastern flank at a time when Ukraine's allies are worried about Russia's war on its neighbour spilling over its borders.
"We condemn Russia's recklessness, and NATO will continue to strengthen our defences against all threats, including drones," a NATO spokesperson posted on X.
The drone hit the roof of a 10-storey block of flats in Galati and caused an explosion, the Romanian authorities said.
'Serious violation of international law'
"Initial information indicates that the entire load of the Geran 2 drone, of Russian origin, exploded upon impact," the defence ministry said in a statement.
Romania, which shares a 650-km (400-mile) land border with Ukraine, has experienced Russian drones breaching its airspace 28 times since Moscow began attacking Kyiv's ports across the Danube River, Romania's defence ministry said.
Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu called the incident a "serious violation of international law" and said that Bucharest had "requested measures to accelerate the transfer of anti-drone capabilities to Romania". She said the Russian ambassador had been summoned to the foreign ministry.
European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen said Russia had "crossed yet another line".
There was no immediate comment from the Russian defence ministry.
Ukrainian drones have strayed into Baltic countries' airspace in recent weeks, sowing confusion and raising tensions with Russia.
F-16 jets scrambled
The Romanian defence ministry said it scrambled two F-16 fighter jets and a military helicopter to monitor the attack, adding the pilots were authorised to shoot down any drones. The residents of border counties Braila, Galati and Tulcea were warned to take cover.
Romanian Brigadier General Gheorghe Maxim told a press conference that the drone was in Romania's airspace for four minutes, flying low, making it difficult for radar to detect. He said the US anti-drone system Merops was operational in Romania but would have been too risky to use in a city.
In Friday's incident, a fire broke out in a 10th-floor apartment after the drone struck the building's roof and exploded, Romania's emergency response agency said. Two people were receiving medical treatment on site, it said, adding 70 people had evacuated.
State news agency Agerpres cited Galati's emergency response agency as saying a woman and her child had been taken to hospital with minor injuries while two others had been treated on site for panic attacks.
Drone with unexploded payload also reported
Deputy Interior Minister Raed Arafat, who is in charge of the emergency response agency, told private broadcaster Digi24 the drone affected two building stairwells and damaged five cars.
In a separate incident, a drone without an explosive charge was found around Basesti in Maramures county in northwestern Romania and the area was secured, state TVR broadcaster said late on Thursday, citing local authorities.
The authorities were investigating the origin of the drone, which the report said had a wingspan of about 3 metres (10 feet), and how it happened to be in the area, TVR added.
Local authorities in southern Ukraine, meanwhile, said the Izmail port in the Odesa region came under attack from several drones early on Friday.
Izmail, close to the Romanian border, is home to the largest Ukrainian port on the Danube River and is a frequently targeted strategic location.
Galati was last hit in April, when a drone damaged an electricity pole and a household annex, prompting evacuations. Officials retrieved that drone to detonate its unexploded payload remotely.
Here are some reactions to the incident:
Romanian President Nicusor Dan
"Romania is a NATO member state and will not accept, under any circumstances, that the war of aggression waged by Russia against Ukraine be transferred to its citizens.
"The unprecedented nature of the event demands a firm, coordinated and proportionate response - at national, allied and international level."
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte
"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.
"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."
European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen
"Russia’s war of aggression has crossed yet another line. A Russian drone incursion struck a densely populated area in Romania, injuring civilians. On EU territory. We stand in full solidarity with Romania and its people."
EU Foreign Policy chief Kaja Kallas
"The Russian drone crash into apartments in Galați was a blatant and serious violation of Romania's sovereignty and European airspace.
"Russia has long ago stopped respecting borders. Moscow cannot be allowed to breach European airspace with impunity."
Polish President Karol Nawrocki
"I stand in solidarity with President Nicusor Dan and the entire Romanian nation. What happened is another installment of the hybrid war in which NATO's eastern flank countries are participating.
"It is yet another signal that we must stand together, build our resilience, and build a strong North Atlantic Alliance and transatlantic relations."
French Minister for European Affairs Benjamin Haddad
"Russia has not only attacked Ukraine, but also threatened the European security architecture."
Moldovan President Maia Sandu
"I strongly condemn Russian drones striking Romanians in their homes. This is grave. Russia is a danger to all and must be stopped."
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna
"It is clear that NATO's deterrence and defence posture, especially air defence, must be strengthened."
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico
"In connection with the drone incident, I express my full solidarity with the Romanian government, call for restraint in making inflammatory statements, and once again urge the immediate opening of dialogue between the European Union and the Russian Federation."
Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis
"The Czech Republic stands firmly with our alliance partners and equally condemns the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine."
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
"This is a very serious act, demonstrating how this war of aggression spares no one, continuing to brutally target innocent civilians, ignoring every limit, and endangering European security."
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski
"Regardless of whether it was on purpose or the result of ineptitude, Russia is still dangerous and we must defend ourselves against it."
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot
"A weapon of war hitting an apartment building in an EU member state and NATO ally is a dangerous escalation that concerns us all."
Hungarian Deputy Prime Minister Anita Orban
"Yesterday's Russian drone attack once again underlines that Europe and NATO's unity, strength and deterrence are more important than ever."
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha
"Ukraine stands firmly by Romania. We are ready to work closely together to strengthen protection from such threats."
