'Irresponsibility' and 'serious escalation': NATO and Europeans react after Russian drone crashes into building in Romania

Fire at the top of a ten-story building hit by a Russian drone in Galati, Romania, near the border with Ukraine, this Friday, May 29, 2026.
via REUTERS - Romanian Department for Emergenc
The crash of a Russian drone on a residential building in the Romanian city of Galati, near the border with Ukraine, this Friday (29) provoked a wave of international reactions and increased pressure on Moscow. The incident, unprecedented since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, left two slightly injured and led Romania, a member of NATO and the European Union, to denounce a "serious escalation".
Romanian President Nicusor Dan called an extraordinary meeting of the Supreme Defense Council to discuss "the implications of the most serious incident" recorded on the country's territory since the beginning of the war. According to him, "the unprecedented nature of what happened requires a firm, coordinated and proportional response, at national, allied and international levels."
The Romanian Defense Ministry stated that the drone was part of a new wave of Russian attacks against Ukrainian civilian infrastructure close to the river border with the country. According to Bucharest, the device fell on the roof of a residential building, causing an explosion and fire. Two F-16 fighters were mobilized and Romanian authorities officially informed NATO, asking for an acceleration of the transfer of anti-drone capabilities to the country.
The Romanian Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian ambassador to Bucharest and demanded a reaction from the European Union. Since the beginning of the war, drone fragments and incursions had already been detected in Romanian territory, but this is the first time that a device has directly hit a residential building.
NATO condemned Russia's "irresponsibility". Atlantic Alliance spokeswoman Allison Hart said Secretary-General Mark Rutte is in contact with the Romanian authorities and assured that the organization will continue to strengthen its defenses against aerial threats, including drones. NATO sources also recalled that Bucharest could, if it wishes, activate article 4 of the Alliance's founding treaty, which provides for consultations between allies when the security of a member state is threatened.
"Irresponsibility", says France The European Union also toughened its tone. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Russia had crossed "a new threshold" and promised a new package of sanctions against Moscow. "We are in full solidarity with Romania and its people," he wrote on the social network X.
As we continue to strengthen our security and deterrence capabilities, especially on our eastern border, we will continue to increase pressure on Russia. We are preparing a 21st package of sanctions.
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Firefighters and police work at the site of an explosion in a residential block following a drone attack near the border with Ukraine, in Galati, Romania
Inquam via REUTERS
The head of European diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, denounced a "flagrant and serious violation of Romania's sovereignty and European airspace". The President of the European Council, António Costa, classified the Russian escalation into European Union territory as "irresponsible and dangerous" and reaffirmed the Europeans' determination to reinforce defense capabilities on the eastern flank.
France also condemned the incident, denouncing Moscow's "irresponsibility". The president of Moldova, Maia Sandu, stated that Russia represents "a danger to everyone". The neighboring country of Romania and Ukraine has also faced repeated drone incursions since the start of the conflict.
The reactions come at a time of worsening regional tensions. Kiev accused Russia of attacking a Turkish cargo ship in the Black Sea and denounced new bombings in several Ukrainian regions. Moscow, in turn, threatens to intensify attacks against Ukraine in response to a Ukrainian offensive that, according to Russian authorities, killed 21 people at a school in occupied territory.
In recent days, Russia has launched hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles against Ukraine, while Eastern European countries reinforce warnings about failures in their air defenses. For Europeans, Moscow deliberately seeks to destabilize countries in the region through increasingly frequent air raids.
Residential block after a drone hits a building near the border with Ukraine, in Galati, Romania
Inquam via REUTERS
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Source: G1