Nato and EU condemn Russia after drone hits Romanian residential block
Just nowMircea Barbu,In Bucharest,Jaroslav LukivandChris GrahamInquam Photos/George Calin via ReutersRomanian police were seen at the site of the explosion on Friday morningA Russian drone hit a block of flats in Romania, causing a fire and injuring two people, Romanian officials say.Friday's incident in the eastern town of Galați, near the border with Ukraine, was condemned by Romania's fellow members of Nato and the EU. Ukraine said it proved again that Russia posed "a real threat" to Europe.Romanian President Nicușor Dan said the drone was likely hit by Ukrainian air defences over Kyiv's territory, altering its trajectory. Russian President Vladimir Putin later questioned whether the drone was Russian. Drones fired by Russia have strayed into Romania a number of times during the four-year war with Ukraine, but it is the first time Romanians have been hurt.Romania's emergency situations authority said the drone's entire explosive payload detonated and caused a fire on the 10th floor of the residential building. Two people with abrasions required medical treatment and were taken to the Galați County Emergency Clinical Hospital. About 70 people were evacuated as the fire was put out.DSU via ReutersAbout 70 people were evacuated as the fire was put outRomania's defence ministry said two F-16 fighter jets were scrambled after the drones were detected. Brig Gen Gheorghe Maxim said the army had only four minutes from when the drone was detected to the moment of impact.The ministry added in a later update that it appeared the "entire load" of the Geran 2 drone - also known as a Shahed 136 - had exploded on impact.Gen Maxim said Romanian forces were under significant constraints, as they could not fire munitions that violated Ukrainian airspace. "Ukraine is at war, but Romania is at peace. We cannot launch a projectile into Ukrainian airspace," he said.Romania's military has sought to reassure the public that it was not an attack on the country but rather "a conflict at our border, with consequences for the local population".Speaking during a visit to
Galați later on Friday, President Dan said the drone was likely hit while over Ukraine, apparently by Ukraine's air defences."There was a group of 43 drones coming from the east. Some were shot down over Ukraine, and one was hit above the [Ukrainian] city of Reni, which altered its trajectory."Dan also said his administration would expel the Russian consul in the Black Sea port of Constanța and shut down the consulate. Moscow said it "won't take long" to respond.President Dan also convened an emergency meeting of Romania's Supreme Defence Council, describing the Russian drone strike as "the most serious incident to have affected Romanian territory since the start of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine".The country's foreign ministry said Bucharest had "requested measures to accelerate the transfer of anti-drone capabilities to Romania" from Nato.The alliance's secretary general, Mark Rutte, said he had spoken to President Dan and told him the alliance "stands ready to defend every inch of allied territory"."We will continue to enhance our readiness to deter and defend against any threat, including from drones," Rutte added. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X: "Russia's war of aggression has crossed yet another line"."As we continue strengthening our security and deterrence, especially on our Eastern border, we will keep increasing the pressure on Russia," she added.Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said the incident "proved once again that Russian aggression poses a real threat to the Black Sea region".He urged other countries to strengthen support for Ukraine and increase pressure on Russia "to restore peace and security in the region".In a post on social media on Friday evening, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had expressed support for Romania during a phone call with President Dan."We will be in constant communication with Rom
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