Romania and its NATO allies have reacted angrily after a Russian drone crashed into an apartment building in eastern Romania, injuring two people.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bucharest on Friday labelled the crash of the drone, part of an overnight attack aimed at Ukraine, a serious violation of international law. The incident is just the latest incursion along the alliance’s eastern flank, raising concern that the risk of an open confrontation between Russia and NATO states is rising.
Romania said the overnight drone was tracked by radar in its airspace before crashing onto the roof of a residential building in the city of Galati.
Two F-16 fighter jets and a helicopter were scrambled, as authorities issued emergency alerts to residents. Two people suffered minor injuries, and several residents were evacuated after a fire was triggered by the crash.
The incident is just the latest of several, as the war in Ukraine has spilled over into neighbouring NATO countries, raising fears of potential escalation.
Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia, as well as Finland, have reported repeated incursions into their airspace in recent months. Drone incursions led to a government collapse in Latvia earlier this month.
Shortly after the crash, Bucharest called for NATO to speed up the transfer of anti-drone capabilities. Outgoing Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan also said Romania would, within hours, sign a contract which will give it anti-drone defences under the European Union’s SAFE programme.
On Friday morning, Romania summoned the Russian ambassador.
“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,” Foreign Minister Oana Toiu wrote on social media.
President Nicusor Dan said Romania will not accept that the war of aggression waged by Russia against Ukraine be transferred to its citizens, and added that he had asked the Foreign Ministry to present without delay a series of measures regarding the country’s relationship with Russia, “proportionate to this very serious situation”.
After a meeting of the Supreme Council of National Defence in Bucharest, Dan said that the Russian consul in the Black Sea port city of Constanta has been declared persona non grata and that the consulate there will be closed. Russia also has an embassy in Romania’s capital, Bucharest.
