EU, NATO warn Moscow after Russian drone hits building in Romania

NATO accused Moscow on Friday of reckless behaviour and pledged to “defend every inch of Allied territory” after Romania said a Russian drone had crashed into an apartment block in the alliance member state during an attack on neighbouring Ukraine. “Russia’s reckless behaviour is a danger to us all,” NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on X after speaking by phone to Romanian President Nicusor Dan, whose country is in both the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union. President of the European Council Antonio Costa expresses "full solidarity and support" with Romania, adding that "Russia’s escalation on EU territory is reckless and irresponsible". President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen says Russia's "war of aggression has crossed yet another line". The EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas says the drone crash represents a "blatant and serious violation of Romania’s sovereignty and European airspace".
Romania’s defence ministry said a woman and a child suffered minor injuries in Galati near the border with Ukraine overnight after radar tracked a Russian drone entering Romanian airspace and reaching the southeastern city. Photos from the scene showed charred and damaged brickwork on the roof of the 10-storey apartment block which Romanian authorities said was hit by a drone that exploded on impact, causing a fire in a top-floor flat.
It was the first time a densely populated area in a NATO country had been hit causing injuries during Russia’s war in Ukraine, and the incident is likely to increase tensions on the alliance’s eastern flank as member states worry about the war spilling over their borders. Romania, which shares a 650-km (400-mile) land border with Ukraine, said Russian drones had breached its airspace 28 times since Moscow began attacking Ukrainian ports across the Danube River following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Stephen Evelyn, a 44-year-old American citizen who lives in Galati, called it “another provocation by the Russians”.
In a separate incident, a drone without an explosive charge was found in northwestern Romania, state TVR broadcaster said late on Thursday, citing local authorities. Its origin was being investigated. Russia did not immediately comment on the incident.Romanian President Nicusor Dan says his administration will expel the Russian consul in the south-eastern city of Constanta and shut down the consulate, Reuters reports. According to news agency AFP, the Russian consul has been declared 'persona non grata'.