Russian drone hits Galati apartment; NATO and EU condemn Russia

Friday, May 29, 2026Confirmed

World Desk

What we know

A Russian drone that Romanian authorities say was part of overnight strikes on Ukraine entered Romanian airspace and crashed onto the roof of a 10-story apartment building in the Danube port city of Galați early Friday, sparking a fire and injuring two people — a 14-year-old boy and a 53-year-old woman — in what officials described as the first residential hit outside Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion. Romania scrambled F-16s with authorization to engage but said the drone was in its airspace only about four minutes, leaving no safe shot over the city.

Bucharest summoned Russia's ambassador, convened a national defense council, and later said it would expel the Russian consul general in Constanța and close that mission. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, EU leaders, the U.S. ambassador to NATO and several European capitals condemned the spillover; President Vladimir Putin said there was no proof the aircraft was Russian and demanded an examination of the wreckage. Romania's defense minister said serial numbers on debris made Russian origin "undoubtedly" clear.

What's confirmed

AP/BBC/AFP: Romanian Defense Ministry said a Russian drone entered airspace overnight, hit a Galați apartment roof and started a fire; two people were lightly injured and dozens evacuated (AP/BBC/AFP).
BBC/NBC/DW: NATO's Rutte called Russia's behavior reckless and said the alliance would defend every inch of allied territory; EU chief von der Leyen said the war had "crossed yet another line" (BBC/NBC/DW).
AFP/France 24: Putin denied threats to European countries and said origin could not be asserted without examination; Romania said it would close the Constanța consulate and expel the consul general (AFP/France 24).
AP/BBC: Romanian jets were scrambled with shoot-down authority but commanders said there was no safe engagement window over Galați (AP/BBC).

What's still developing

Whether Romania seeks NATO Article 4 consultations and how quickly allied anti-drone gear reaches the Dobrogea/Danube flank.
Russian retaliatory steps after the Constanța consulate closure and any joint debris inspection.
How the incident reshapes EU eastern-flank deterrence pledges in the coming days.

Sources

AP News — Russian drone launched against Ukraine crashes in Romania, injuring 2 link
BBC News — Nato condemns Russia after drone hits Romanian residential block link
AFP / France 24 — Russia accused over drone that hit Romanian apartment block, Putin hits back link
NBC News — Russia denounced after drone hits Romanian apartment building link
DW — Romania: Russian drone strikes Galati apartment building link