Russian drone launched against Ukraine crashes in Romania, injuring 2
[May 29, 2026]
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A Russian drone that was part of an overnight
attack on Ukraine crashed into an apartment building in eastern Romania,
injuring two people, Romanian authorities said Friday.
In response to the crash in the city of Galati, NATO member Romania
asked the alliance for a faster transfer of anti-drone capabilities to
its military, the Foreign Ministry said, calling the drone's flight a
serious violation of international law.
Gen. Gheorghe Maxim, a stand-in commander for the Romanian armed forces'
joint staff, said at a press conference Friday that the incident “is not
an attack from Russia against Romania,” but “Romanians should understand
that Russia is a threat to the security of the countries in the area.”
Police and other agencies responded at the scene. Galati is on the
Danube River, near the borders of Ukraine and Moldova.
Ukrainian forces shot down 217 drones overnight on Friday according to
the country’s air force. In total, Russia attacked with 232 drones and
one ballistic missile. Hits were recorded in 14 areas, the air force
said.
The drone was tracked by radar in Romanian airspace and crashed onto the
roof of a building in Galati, Romania’s Defense Ministry said in a
statement. The impact was followed by a fire. Two people suffered minor
injuries, and several others were evacuated.
Romania calls it the worst of many incidents
While Romania has confirmed drone fragments on its territory on multiple
occasions since the war started in 2022, including in Galati in April
this year, no one has previously been hurt in any of the drone incidents
in which many landed in remote areas.
In response to the latest incursion, Romanian President Nicusor Dan
convened the NATO member’s top defense body for a meeting on Friday to
discuss the implications of what he called “the worst incident to hit
the national territory” since Russia invaded Ukraine, and blamed Russia
directly for the incident.
“We will have proportional measures in relation to the Russian
Federation. ... There is no ambiguity about the author and the cause of
this assault,” he wrote in a post on Facebook.
Dan added that his thoughts are with the injured people, families and
residents “who experienced terrible moments in their own homes.”
The Romanian military scrambled two F-16 fighter jets and a helicopter
that were authorized to engage targets, and alert messages were sent to
residents of the affected areas.
In recent years, airspace violations have become so common in Romania
that lawmakers adopted legislation last year allowing the army to shoot
down drones entering its airspace as a last resort. But Romania has
remained cautious in downing errant drones, which can pose risks to
populated areas.
Russia has been using long-range ballistic missiles and drones to damage
Ukraine’s power grid and hammer cities, and Ukraine has braced for
further heavy bombardments.
Allies rally to condemn incursion
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said that he had spoken to Romania’s
president and expressed the organization’s “absolute solidarity” with
its ally.
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This photo released by Romania's Department for Emergency Situations
shows a fire on top of a block of flats after a drone crash caused
an explosion and fire on impact, in Galati, eastern Romania near the
Ukrainian border, Friday May 29, 2026. (ISU Galati via AP)
In a post on X, Rutte said he “affirmed that NATO stands ready to
defend every inch of Allied territory. We will continue to enhance
our readiness to deter and defend against any threat, including from
drones.”
NATO allies are talking informally about the incursion but no
official meeting about it was due to take place on Friday. Romania
can request formal NATO consultations if it feels that it’s
territory or security is under threat.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb condemned the drone strike in
Romania and wrote in a social media post that “Russia is crossing
another line in its war of aggression against Ukraine.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also said the
incident showed that Russia "has crossed yet another line.” She said
the EU will keep strengthening security along its eastern border and
was actively drafting another set of sanctions against Russia, the
21st so far.
“A Russian drone incursion struck a densely populated area in
Romania, injuring civilians,” she wrote in a social media post. “On
EU territory.”
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said the risk of such
“serious incidents” was raised by “ Putin’s increasing nervousness,
driven by military setbacks.”
“Russia is growing weaker on the battlefield in its war against
Ukraine, yet it continues to pursue its objectives through brutal
drone and missile attacks,” he said in a statement.
Zelenskyy appeals for more Patriot missiles
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday he was
pressing the United States to provide more Patriot air defense
missiles that can counter the Russian attacks.
He warned that deliveries to Ukraine are falling dangerously short
as the Iran war diverts and depletes U.S. stocks. “I believe (the
U.S.) must act quicker. We are being very persistent,” Zelenskyy
told reporters during a visit to Sweden.
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres warned the U.N. Security
Council that the escalation and intensification of attacks risks
getting out of control, with “unknown and unintended consequences.”
He said that more civilians have been killed in the first four
months of this year than in the same period in the past three years.
Guterres called for more diplomacy, immediate de-escalation and “a
full and unconditional ceasefire.”
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