Nato slams Russian ‘recklessness’ as drone hits Romanian building

Romania’s Foreign Ministry summoned Russian Ambassador Vladimir Lipayev. President Nicușor Dan also ordered the expulsion of Russia’s consul in Constanța and the closure of the consulate.

Bucharest: A Russian drone struck a residential building in Romania’s eastern town of Galați near the Ukrainian border on Friday, injuring two people and triggering strong reactions from Nato and the EU.

Romania’s emergency situations authority said the drone’s entire explosive payload detonated on the 10th floor of the apartment block, causing a fire. About 70 residents were evacuated before firefighters brought the blaze under control. Two people sustained minor injuries and were taken to Galați County Emergency Clinical Hospital for treatment.

Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte condemned Russia’s “reckless behaviour”, saying it posed a danger to all allies. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Moscow’s “war of aggression” had crossed “yet another line”.

Romania’s Defence Minist­ry said two F-16 fighter jets were scrambled after the drone was detected. 

Brig Gen Gheorghe Maxim said the military had only four minutes between detection and impact and faced operational constraints because Roman­ian forces could not fire munitions into Ukrainian airspace. 

The ministry identified the aircraft as a Geran-2 drone, also known as a Shahed-136, and said its entire explosive load appeared to have detonated on impact. Russia had not officially commented on the strike. 

—Agencies