A presumably Russian drone crashed into an apartment building in the city of Galati, located in eastern Romania and very close to the Ukrainian border. The impact of the drone caused an immediate fire in the building and has left two people injured, who have already been taken to a nearby hospital for medical attention.
The seriousness of the incident forced the evacuation of 70 residents, who remain outside their homes while specialized technicians complete safety inspections and assess whether the building's structure has been compromised. According to Raed Arafat, head of the Department for Emergency Situations, fortunately, no fatalities have been reported. In response to the magnitude of the incident, the Romanian Presidency has urgently convened its defense council.
Bucharest's military response was immediate. Before the crash occurred, the Ministry of Defense detected drones near its airspace and ordered the takeoff of two F-16 fighters from the Fetesti base. The pilots were expressly authorized to intercept and attack targets during the alert period. Foreign Minister Toiu Oana has condemned the incident as a "serious and irresponsible escalation" by Russia, also demanding the delivery of anti-drone defense equipment to protect its territory.
Internationally, the reaction has been one of absolute condemnation. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen denounced that the Russian aggression has crossed a new line by reaching a densely populated area in European Union territory. Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte expressed "full solidarity" with Romania and reaffirmed that the Alliance will continue to strengthen its defenses against Moscow's "recklessness." This attack in Galati represents the most blatant violation of Romanian sovereignty and European airspace recorded to date in the conflict.