Russian drone crashes in Romania during Ukraine attack, 2 Injured
A Russian drone launched during an overnight attack on Ukraine crashed into a residential building in eastern Romania, injuring two civilians and escalating regional security concerns near NATO territory.
Romanian authorities said the drone struck the roof of an apartment building in Galati, a city located near the borders of Moldova and Ukraine. The impact triggered a fire, forcing evacuations in the area. Two people sustained minor injuries during the incident.
Romania’s Defence Ministry confirmed that the drone had been tracked in Romanian airspace before crashing. In response, the Romanian military deployed F-16 fighter jets and a helicopter, while emergency alerts were issued to residents in nearby areas.
Following the incident, Romania requested NATO to accelerate the transfer of anti-drone defence systems, describing the drone’s entry into its airspace as a serious violation of international law.
The drone crash occurred amid intensified Russian aerial attacks on Ukraine. Ukrainian officials said Russia launched more than 230 drones and a ballistic missile overnight, with Ukrainian air defences intercepting a large number of them.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb condemned the incident, stating that Russia had crossed another dangerous line in its war against Ukraine. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also criticised the strike and said the European Union would strengthen security measures along its eastern borders.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged the United States to speed up deliveries of Patriot air defence systems, warning that continued Russian bombardments are putting increasing pressure on Ukraine’s defence capabilities.
The latest escalation has heightened fears of wider regional instability as the Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to spill closer to NATO territory.
