Romanian President Nicusor Dan has revealed the findings of an investigation into a drone that struck an apartment building in Galați, concluding it was of Russian origin. The announcement comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin denied any involvement.
Investigation Details
The technical report, finalized by Romanian state specialists, analyzed electrical components, control modules, engine parts, and other key characteristics of the drone. These were compared to other Geran-2 drones that had previously crashed in Romanian territory. The conclusion was described as “unequivocal” by President Dan.
“This is the unequivocal conclusion of the technical report finalized by Romanian state specialists. The investigation established this based on a substantial body of technical evidence,” Mr Dan stated.
Incident in Galați
The drone was tracked by radar in Romanian airspace before crashing onto the roof of a residential building in Galați, an eastern city near the border with Ukraine. The impact caused a fire, resulting in two minor injuries and the evacuation of several residents. Police and emergency services responded to the scene.
Sir Keir Starmer described the incident as a “serious violation of NATO airspace.” The report also highlighted that manufacturing markings, technical inscriptions, structural characteristics, and materials used matched those found in previous Geran-2 drones. Physico-chemical analyses confirmed the presence of identical materials and fuels.
Political Response
President Dan emphasized the “particular gravity” of the incident, holding the Kremlin solely responsible. He stated that the findings would be communicated to NATO allies and European Union members. “The fact that such a device struck a residential building in Romania, causing injuries and material damage, is of particular gravity, and the sole responsible party is Russia,” he said.
Romania will continue to work with partners to strengthen security along NATO’s eastern border and protect its citizens. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte confirmed the drone’s Russian origin, noting that it demonstrated the consequences of Russia’s illegal war extend beyond Ukraine’s borders.
Military and Diplomatic Measures
President Dan previously announced the closure of a Russian consulate in Constanta and declared the consul persona non grata. He also called for a firm, coordinated response from allies and requested additional anti-drone capabilities. Two Romanian F-16 fighter jets were scrambled but could not engage the drone without endangering civilians.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned Russia, stating it had “crossed yet another line” and that the bloc was preparing further sanctions. “As we continue strengthening our security and deterrence, especially on our eastern border, we will keep increasing the pressure on Russia,” she said.
Putin had previously accused Romania of jumping to conclusions, arguing that no one could determine the drone’s origin without a proper forensic examination. He offered to provide an assessment if objective data were shared.
