Romania’s Defense Ministry condemned ‘the irresponsible actions’ of Russia calling them a new challenge to regional security and stability
More than 200 people were evacuated in eastern Romania after fragments from a Russian drone fell on the city of Galaţi after an overnight attack on neighboring Ukraine.
Some 217 people were evacuated, an electricity pole and a household annex were damaged, and NATO planes were scrambled, the Defense Ministry said. Nobody was injured.
Romania’s foreign ministry summoned the ambassador following the attack.
NATO and European Union member Romania shares a 640-km border with Ukraine. Since the 2022 full-scale Russian invasion it has regularly seen Russian drones violate its airspace as Moscow attacks Ukraine’s ports on the other side of the Danube River.
It was the first time, however, that property has been damaged.
“This represents a new challenge to regional security and stability in the Black Sea area,” the Ministry said in a statement. .
“Such incidents demonstrate the Russian Federation’s lack of respect for the norms of international law and endanger not only the safety of Romanian citizens but also the collective security of NATO.”
Two Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets which are part of a British air-policing mission in Romania were scrambled to monitor the attack from the air and residents of Tulcea County were warned to take cover.
Tensions have mounted along Europe’s eastern flank in recent months after suspected Russian drones violated the airspace of several NATO states.
