Romanian president vows ‘proportionate measures’ after Russian drone strike on apartment building

He has convened a meeting of Romania’s Supreme Council of National Defense to discuss the consequences of the drone impact. The “unprecedented nature” of the incident requires a firm, coordinated and appropriate response at the national, allied and international levels, he said.

The Romanian president said full responsibility lies with the Russian Federation and that “there is no uncertainty regarding the perpetrator and the cause of this aggression.” He said Romania would therefore adopt “proportionate response measures.”

“I have instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to urgently prepare a series of measures regarding relations with the Russian Federation, proportionate to this extremely serious situation,” he said.

Among other steps, Romania has already informed its NATO allies and EU partners about the incident. It will also notify the U.N. Security Council about what Dan described as Russia’s “gross and repeated violation of international law.”

He said communication with allied military structures was continuing in real time. Romania has also asked allies to deploy additional counter-drone capabilities to Romanian territory to strengthen defense on NATO’s eastern flank.

At the same time, Dan defended the military personnel who did not shoot down the drone. He said they acted according to established procedures and had clear orders to destroy it as soon as conditions allowed without risk to civilians or infrastructure.

“The decision not to open fire on the target was made because there were no conditions that would have allowed its destruction without risk to civilian safety. … My thoughts are first of all with the injured, their families and the residents who went through terrifying moments in their own homes,” he said.

More on the drone incident in Romania

Russian drones attacked Ukraine’s Odesa Oblast overnight. One of them entered Romanian airspace and crashed into a multi-story apartment building in the municipality of Galati. Although authorization existed, the pilots of aircraft patrolling over the country did not shoot it down.

Two people suffered bruises and received medical assistance. Another 70 people were evacuated from the damaged part of the building.

Romanian Foreign Minister Oana-Silvia Toiu said the drone was Russian. Moscow bears “direct responsibility for these serious and irresponsible actions,” she said, and Romania will take the diplomatic steps needed in response to “this serious violation of international law and its airspace.”

Romania also informed its European and NATO allies about the circumstances of the incident and asked them to take steps to speed up the delivery of counter-drone capabilities to the country.

NATO spokeswoman Allison Hart also condemned what she called “Russia’s recklessness.” She said the alliance remains in contact with Romanian authorities and will continue strengthening defenses against all threats, including drones.