EU leaders condemn Russia for drone crash in Romania
782 Mins Read
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa condemned Moscow Friday morning after a Russian drone struck an apartment building in eastern Romania overnight.
“Russia’s war of aggression has crossed yet another line. A Russian drone incursion struck a densely populated area in Romania, injuring civilians. On EU territory,” von der Leyen wrote in a statement on X, expressing solidarity with Romania and its citizens.
She said the EU would continue to increase pressure on Moscow to end its all-out invasion of Ukraine and noted that a 21st sanctions package against Russia was being prepared.
🔵In #Romania (Paese NATO) un drone russo ha colpito un condominio a Galati: 2 le persone ferite. Lo riferisce il ministero della Difesa rumeno. Poco prima era stato diramato l'avviso di possibilità di caduta di oggetti dallo spazio aereo. "Una grave e irresponsabile escalation". pic.twitter.com/oy2MvUe4rB
Costa wrote on X: “Russia’s escalation on EU territory is reckless and irresponsible. I condemn in the strongest terms this violation of Romania’s national airspace and of international law.”
The EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas added: “Russia has long ago stopped respecting borders. Moscow cannot be allowed to breach European airspace with impunity.”
The drone crashed into the roof of a residential building in Galați, near Romania’s borders with Moldova and Ukraine. The impact caused a fire and left two people with minor injuries.
A NATO spokesperson echoed von der Leyen and Costa’s comments, condemning “Russia’s recklessness.” NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has already spoken with Romanian authorities about the incident, the defense alliance said.
Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan also condemned the incident in a statement on Facebook. “This situation is unacceptable and represents a new violation of airspace, generated by the irresponsible and unjustified continuation of the war led by Russia in Ukraine. This war continues to affect the security of Romania and the states on the eastern flank,” Bolojan wrote.
I had a phone conversation with the HRVP of the European Commission, @kajakallas, following the serious incident involving a Russian military drone that crashed into a building in Galați, Romania.
Bolojan added that Romania must “accelerate” efforts to strengthen the country’s defenses. He announced that a contract in the framework of the EU’s SAFE program for anti-drone equipment for the Romanian army was set to be signed on Friday.
Maia Sandu, prime minister of Romania’s neighboring country Moldova, also condemned the incident, writing: “Russia is a danger to all and must be stopped.”
Early this morning, an apartment building in Romania was struck by a drone as Russia attacked Ukrainian infrastructure near the border. @SecGenNATO is in touch with Romanian authorities. We condemn Russia’s recklessness, and NATO will continue to strengthen our defences against…
