Police and forensic investigators are examining the site of impact after a Russian drone struck an apartment building in Galați, western Romania.
Daniel Mihailescu AFP | getty images
A Russian drone crashed into an apartment building in NATO member Romania on Friday morning.
Romanian President Nicosor Dan said in a Post On Friday morning at
The collision occurred in Galați, a town near Romania’s border with Ukraine, Dan said.
“We will order proportionate measures with respect to the Russian Federation,” he said, adding that there were injuries as a result of the attack. “The unprecedented nature of the incident demands a determined, coordinated and appropriate response at the national, allied and international levels.”
Dann said full responsibility lies with Russia and for “the irresponsible and reckless manner in which Moscow operates these weapons systems in the vicinity of NATO borders, as well as its systematic disregard for international law.”
He said Romania’s armed forces acted in accordance with established procedure and were given strict orders to shoot down the drone as soon as conditions became favorable. But ultimately the decision was taken not to shoot down the plane due to the “increasing risk of endangering civil safety”.
Dan said, all NATO allies and European Union member states have been informed of the incident. His government has requested additional deployment of NATO anti-drone capabilities to Romania, and will alert the UN Security Council about Russia’s “repeated violations of international law”.
A NATO spokesman said Friday morning that Russia attacked Ukrainian infrastructure near the border with Romania and Ukraine, hitting an apartment building.
“We condemn Russia’s recklessness and NATO will continue to strengthen our defense against all threats, including drones,” he said.
According to the spokesperson, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is in contact with Romanian authorities.
The European Union is preparing for new sanctions
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a post x Friday morning that “Russia’s war of aggression has crossed another line.”
“Civilians were injured in a Russian drone strike in a densely populated area in Romania. On EU territory,” he said. “We stand in full solidarity with Romania and its people. As we continue to strengthen our security and deterrence, especially on our eastern border, we will continue to increase pressure on Russia.”
Von der Leyen said that the European Union is preparing the 21st package of sanctions on Russia.
CNBC contacted the Russian government for comment.
Ukraine’s parliament on Thursday approved a 90 billion euro ($104.6 billion) loan deal with the European Union.
Russia launches a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In 2014, Russia invaded and annexed Crimea, a peninsula in southern Ukraine. That same year, armed conflict broke out in eastern Ukraine between government forces and Russia-backed separatists.