Nato condemns Russian ‘recklessness’ after drone hits Romanian apartment block

BBC:

A Russian drone hit an apartment block in Romania causing a fire and wounding two people, officials say, prompting a strong response from Nato and EU officials.

The incident happened on Friday in the eastern town of Galati – close to Romania’s eastern border with Ukraine and Moldova.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in response that Russia’s “war of aggression had crossed yet another line”, while Nato condemned “Russia’s recklessness”.

Russian drones have strayed across Romania’s border a number of times during the four-year war with Ukraine, but it is the first time citizens from the Nato country have been hurt. Russia has yet to comment on the incident.

Romania’s emergency situations authority said the drone’s entire explosive payload detonated and caused a fire on the 10th floor of the apartment block.

Two people received medical treatment after suffering abrasions and around 70 people were evacuated as the fire was put out.

President Nicușor Dan has convened an emergency meeting of Romania’s Supreme Defence Council, describing the Russian drone strike as “the most serious incident to have affected Romanian territory since the start of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine”.

Romania’s defence ministry said two F-16 fighter jets were scrambled after the drones were detected. Brig Gen Gheorghe Maxim said the army had only had four minutes from when the drone was detected to the moment of impact.

Gen Maxim said Romanian forces were under significant constraints, as they could not fire munitions that violated Ukrainian airspace. “Ukraine is at war, but Romania is at peace. We cannot launch a projectile into Ukrainian airspace,” he said.

Romania’s military has sought to reassure the public that it was not an attack on the country but rather “a conflict at our border, with consequences for the local population”.