Nato secretary general Mark Rutte has declared the alliance is 'ready to defend every inch' of its territory after a Russian drone struck an apartment building in Romania, a Nato member state, during an overnight attack on neighbouring Ukraine. The incident in Galați injured two people and prompted swift condemnation from Romania and its allies.
Rutte wrote on social media after a call with Romanian president Nicușor Dan: 'Russia's reckless behaviour is a danger to us all. I affirmed that Nato stands ready to defend every inch of allied territory.' Dan convened an emergency meeting of the supreme council of national defence, and the foreign ministry summoned Russia's ambassador.
Romania's foreign minister Oana Țoiu said on X: 'We will officially communicate the consequences that this lack of responsibility on the part of the Russian Federation will have for the diplomatic relations between our countries, as well as the next steps at the European level regarding sanctions packages.' The foreign ministry described the incident as a 'grave and irresponsible escalation' and a serious breach of international law.
Romania has asked Nato to accelerate the transfer of anti-drone capabilities and suggested it may invoke Article 4 of the Nato treaty, which would trigger formal discussions about threats to its security. The Romanian military scrambled two F-16 fighter jets and a helicopter authorised to engage targets, while emergency alerts were issued to residents.
Vladimir Putin suggested without evidence that the drone might have been a stray Ukrainian weapon, and offered to conduct an independent investigation if the wreckage was handed over to Russia. The incident is the latest example of the war in Ukraine spilling beyond its borders, with growing concern over Russia's wider campaign of hybrid warfare across Europe.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said Russia's 'war of aggression has crossed yet another line', adding: 'We stand in full solidarity with Romania and its people.' Ukraine's foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said the incident proved that 'Russian aggression poses a real threat to the Black Sea region and the entire Europe.'
