After a Russian drone crashed into a residential building in the Romanian city of Galați, causing an explosion and fire, the responses across the West have been swift, including from NATO, to which Romania belongs.
The local Emergency Situations Inspectorate (ISU) reported that two people were injured: a woman suffered first-degree burns, and a 14-year-old boy suffered an acute stress reaction. Approximately 70 people were evacuated from the building, reports Do Rzezcy.
Romanian President Nicușor Dan announced a harsh and “proportionate” response to the incident. He also called a meeting of the National Security Council. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in turn, summoned the Russian ambassador.
BREAKING:
A Russian suicide drone has struck an apartment building in Galați, Romania.
Several Romanian civilians are wounded, with some reportedly being in serious condition.
Romania is a NATO member state 🇷🇴 pic.twitter.com/8UCJxHDekT
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) May 29, 2026“What happened today in Galati is a direct consequence of Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine, Moscow’s irresponsible and ruthless use of these weapons systems near NATO borders, and its systematic disregard for international law. There is no doubt about the perpetrator or the cause of this aggression,” the Romanian president said.
Poland’s Armed Forces’ Operational Command issued a statement regarding the Russian drone incident, strongly condemning the “violation of Romanian airspace.”
“We express our full solidarity with Romania following this unprecedented incident, which has resulted in civilian casualties. The fact that the consequences of the Russian attack have once again affected the territory of a NATO member state constitutes a dangerous and unacceptable escalation of Russia’s actions in the immediate vicinity of the Alliance. Any threat to the security of citizens of NATO countries requires unity, determination, and a common response. The security of one ally is the security of all of us. Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and all Romanian citizens.”
Poland was joined by many others who took to X to post their solidarity with Romania in the face of Russian aggression. Romanian Foreign Minister Toiu Oana reposted a string of messages of solidarity, accompanied by a message of thanks.
Most poignantly, NATO chief Mark Rutte also posted that he had assured Romania of “NATO’s absolute solidarity.”
“I 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.
I just spoke with President @NicusorDanRO of Romania about the Russian drone that hit a residential building in Galati. I assured him of NATO’s absolute solidarity with Romania and expressed sympathy for those injured in the incident. I affirmed that NATO stands ready to defend…
— Mark Rutte (@SecGenNATO) May 29, 2026“Russia’s reckless behaviour is a danger to us all. They continue to target civilians and civilian infrastructure across Ukraine. And last night showed yet again that the implications of their illegal war of aggression don’t stop at the border.”
