Russian Drone Hits Apartment Building in NATO Member Romania During Strike Near Ukrainian Border

A Russian drone struck a residential apartment building in the Romanian city of Galați overnight, setting fire to a 10th-floor apartment and injuring two people, Romania’s Defense Ministry reported on May 29.

According to Romanian authorities, the drone entered Romanian airspace during Russia’s overnight attack on civilian and infrastructure targets in Ukraine’s Odesa region, near the Romanian border.

The drone’s warhead exploded after impact, triggering a fire in the apartment building. A woman suffered first-degree burns, while a 14-year-old experienced an acute stress reaction. Both received medical assistance and were hospitalized, according to Romanian media Digi24.

Around 70 people were evacuated from the affected building or left on their own after the strike.

Romania’s Defense Ministry said two F-16 fighter jets were scrambled from the Fetești air base at 1:19 a.m. to intercept the drone. They were supported by an IAR 330 SOCAT helicopter.

The pilots had authorization to engage the target. After the drone was detected in Romanian airspace, residents of Tulcea, Galați, and Brăila counties received air threat warnings through the Ro-Alert system. Authorities reported the drone crash at around 1:53 a.m.

Romanian emergency explosives specialists later determined that the drone’s entire explosive payload had detonated, meaning there was no further risk of another blast.

NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said the Alliance condemned Russia’s actions after the drone hit Romanian territory.

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

Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu called the incident “a serious and irresponsible escalation by the Russian Federation,” saying the drone was carrying explosives and had been involved in Russia’s attack on Ukrainian infrastructure before crashing in Galați.

“Romania will take the necessary diplomatic response measures regarding this serious violation of international law and of its airspace,” Țoiu said.

She added that Romania had informed EU member states, NATO allies, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte about the circumstances of the incident, and had requested faster delivery of anti-drone capabilities to Romania.

“The Russian Federation bears direct responsibility for these grave and irresponsible actions,” Țoiu said. “Romania will act with the utmost determination to increase international pressure on the Russian Federation with a view to achieving an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire.”

The incident marks another dangerous spillover from Russia’s war against Ukraine into NATO territory, as Moscow continues launching drones and missiles at Ukrainian targets close to the Alliance’s eastern flank.

Earlier, Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu said Romania expects the number and intensity of Russian hybrid attacks against NATO to increase, especially in allied airspace.

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