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 sparked a fire, prompting an emergency meeting of Romania’s supreme council of national defence and the summoning of Russia’s ambassador.
“Russia’s reckless behaviour is a danger to us all,” Rutte wrote on social media after a call with Romanian President Nicușor Dan. Romania’s foreign minister, Oana Țoiu, said the country would communicate the consequences for diplomatic relations and push for further EU sanctions. The foreign ministry described the strike as a “grave and irresponsible escalation” and a serious breach of international law, and requested Nato accelerate the transfer of anti-drone capabilities.
Romania’s defence ministry said the drone was tracked by radar in Romanian airspace before crashing into a residential building. The military scrambled two F-16 fighter jets and a helicopter authorised to engage targets. President Dan said Romania would not accept the war in Ukraine being transferred to its citizens and instructed the foreign ministry to prepare a package of measures proportionate to the situation.
Russian President 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 were handed over. The incident drew condemnation from European leaders, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen saying Russia’s “war of aggression has crossed yet another line” and pledging full solidarity with Romania.
Ukraine’s foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, said the incident proved Russian aggression poses a real threat to the Black Sea region and all of Europe. The strike is the latest example of the war spilling beyond Ukraine’s borders, amid growing concern over Russia’s hybrid warfare across Europe.
