NATO condemns Russia after drone strike hits Romanian apartments, injuring two, as tensions rise over airspace violations and fears grow of Ukraine war spillover, reports Asian Lite News Desk
NATO has strongly condemned what it described as Russia’s “reckless behaviour” after a drone strike hit a residential building in eastern Romania, injuring two people and triggering a sharp escalation in tensions along the alliance’s eastern flank.
The incident occurred overnight in the city of Galați, near Romania’s border with Ukraine, where authorities said a Russian drone entered national airspace before crashing into the roof of an apartment block, sparking a fire. Romania’s Ministry of National Defence confirmed the drone had been tracked by radar systems before impact.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the strike underscored the broader risks posed by Russia’s war in Ukraine spilling beyond its borders. He described Moscow’s actions as dangerous and reaffirmed that the alliance “stands ready to defend every inch of allied territory”.
The attack drew swift condemnation from Western leaders. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the incident a “serious violation” of NATO airspace and warned that Russia’s continued attacks on civilian infrastructure posed a threat to the entire continent. UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper also denounced the strike as “extremely dangerous and reckless”, stressing that the UK stood firmly with Romania and its allies.
Romanian President Nicușor Dan said Moscow bore full responsibility for the incident and announced diplomatic retaliation, including the expulsion of a Russian consul from the port city of Constanța. The diplomat has reportedly been declared persona non grata, with the consulate set to be closed.
Dan also criticised domestic political voices attempting to downplay the incident, calling such responses “irresponsible” in the face of what he described as a serious security breach.
Military response
Romanian military officials revealed that the drone entered the country’s airspace at around 01:52 local time and travelled approximately 10 kilometres before crashing. Brigadier General Gheorghe Maxim said the army had only a four-minute window to assess and respond to the threat.
He explained that the drone’s low altitude and slow speed made interception difficult, particularly over urban areas where engaging the target risked causing further damage. Legal restrictions also prevented Romanian forces from firing in a way that could violate Ukrainian airspace.
Romania had deployed F-16 fighter jets to monitor the situation, but the combination of technical and legal constraints meant the drone was not shot down before impact. The incident has since prompted calls from Bucharest for NATO to accelerate the deployment of advanced anti-drone systems.
Why Article 5 is not invoked?
The strike has heightened concerns about the war in Ukraine spilling into neighbouring NATO countries. US Ambassador to NATO Matt Whitaker said Washington stood firmly with Romania, condemning what he described as a “reckless incursion” and reiterating the alliance’s commitment to collective defence.
Under NATO’s Article 5, an attack on one member is considered an attack on all, although the clause typically requires sustained or deliberate aggression. While the current incident has not triggered Article 5, it has intensified debate over how the alliance should respond to cross-border incidents linked to the conflict.
Romania has also pointed to its participation in European defence initiatives, including the EU’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) mechanism, which allows member states to access funding to strengthen defence capabilities. Bucharest is eligible for a loan package of €16.8 billion under the scheme.
Meanwhile, Russia has rejected the accusations. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said claims of Russian involvement were “unsubstantiated”, arguing that no evidence had been presented.
Romanian authorities have urged citizens to take emergency alerts seriously after reports that some residents ignored warnings issued shortly before the strike. Officials stressed that such alerts are critical in preventing casualties during rapidly evolving incidents.
Residents in Galați described scenes of panic following the explosion, with one local saying they had initially ignored the warning but were awakened by the sound of the blast.
