Romania's foreign ministry summoned Russia's ambassador on Friday after a drone struck an apartment block in the eastern city of Galati, calling the incident a "serious and irresponsible escalation" by Moscow.
The Romanian defense ministry said the drone entered national airspace before crashing onto the roof of a residential building in Galati, near the Ukrainian border, starting a fire. The military scrambled two F-16 fighters and a helicopter, and residents were evacuated as emergency services and police responded.
"This incident constitutes a serious and irresponsible escalation on the part of the Russian Federation", the foreign ministry said in a statement, adding that Romania would take "all necessary diplomatic steps" in response to what it called a grave violation of international law and its airspace.
Bucharest said it had notified allies and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte of the situation and was demanding accelerated delivery of anti-drone systems.
NATO condemned Russia over the strike. Spokesperson Allison Hart wrote on X that the alliance condemned "Russia's recklessness" and would "continue to strengthen defense against all threats, including drones". Rutte was said to be in contact with Romanian authorities.
Ukrainian air forces had earlier reported tracking 16 Russian Shahed drones over the Odesa region heading toward the port of Reni, approximately 20 kilometers from Galati.
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, speaking to Reuters, expressed solidarity with Bucharest. "Regardless of whether it was intentional or the result of incompetence, Russia remains dangerous and we must defend ourselves against it", he said.
Latvia's President Edgars Rinkevics also condemned the incident, expressing "full solidarity" with Romania and readiness to take action to prevent future violations.
A second drone, carrying no explosive payload, was found near Basesti in northwestern Romania on Friday. Authorities secured the area and launched an investigation into its origin.
It was not the first such incident: in April, a Russian drone also violated Romanian airspace and crashed in Galati during an attack on Ukraine, leading to a similar summoning of the Russian ambassador.
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Source: Polish Radio, PAP