Romania seeks more air defences after Russian drone hits high-rise

WorldPolitics
29 May 2026 • 2:50 PM MYT
DPA International
DPA International

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Romania on Friday called for additional air defence resources after a Russian drone crashed into a high-rise residential building in the eastern city of Galați.

The Romanian Foreign Ministry said it had informed NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte of the incident and requested an accelerated transfer of counter-drone technology to Romania.

Romania would respond to the "serious violation of international law and of its airspace through diplomatic measures," the ministry said in a statement posted on Facebook.

"The Russian Federation bears direct responsibility for this grave and irresponsible action."

The overnight drone strike sparked a fire on the 10th floor of an apartment block in Galați, the Interior Ministry said. Two people suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene.

A specialist investigative team focusing on explosive incidents was dispatched to the site overnight.

Galați lies on the Danube River in eastern Romania, just a few kilometres from the borders with both Moldova and Ukraine.

The incident comes amid daily Russian drone attacks on Ukraine. On several occasions, drones have entered the airspace of NATO member states bordering Ukraine. Ukrainian drones and missiles have also occasionally crossed into neighbouring countries' airspace.