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NATO condemns Russia after drone crashes into Romanian residential building

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Romania summoned Russia's ambassador after a drone struck an apartment building near the Ukrainian border, calling it a grave escalation.
  • NATO condemned Russia's recklessness and vowed to strengthen defenses against drone threats.
  • The incident, the first drone strike on a populated Romanian area causing injuries, has heightened tensions on NATO's eastern flank.

Romania summoned Russia's ambassador Friday, condemning a drone strike on an apartment building near the Ukrainian border as a "grave and irresponsible escalation." The incident, which injured two people and prompted the evacuation of dozens, occurred during a Russian overnight attack on neighboring Ukraine.

a grave and irresponsible escalation from Russia.

— Romanian Foreign Affairs MinistryDescribing the drone incident.

"Romania has informed allies and NATO's secretary-general about the circumstances and requested measures to accelerate the transfer of anti-drone capabilities to Romania," the Romanian Foreign Affairs Ministry stated. NATO echoed the condemnation, with a spokesperson vowing to "strengthen our defenses against all threats, including drones." The alliance cited Russia's "recklessness" following the drone's crash onto the roof of a 10-story building in the southeastern city of Galati.

Romania has informed allies and NATO's secretary-general about the circumstances and requested measures to accelerate the transfer of anti-drone capabilities to Romania.

— Romanian Foreign Affairs MinistryDetailing Romania's response to NATO.

This marks the first time a drone has hit a densely populated area in Romania and caused injuries, significantly increasing tensions on NATO's eastern flank. Romania, a member of both NATO and the EU, shares a 650-km border with Ukraine and has reported Russian drones breaching its airspace 28 times since Moscow began attacking Ukraine's Danube river ports. Drone fragments have fallen in Romania at least 47 times, according to the defense ministry.

We condemn Russia's recklessness, and NATO will continue to strengthen our defenses against all threats, including drones.

— NATO spokespersonCondemning Russia's actions and outlining NATO's response.

Romanian authorities reported that the drone's entire explosive payload detonated, causing an explosion and a fire that has since been extinguished. Firefighters and law enforcement responded to the scene, with emergency services stating a woman and her child were taken to the hospital. The incident underscores the escalating risks of the conflict spilling over Ukraine's borders.

Drone fragments have fallen in Romania at least 47 times.

— Romanian Defense MinistryProviding statistics on previous drone fragment incidents.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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