Romania asks NATO to speed up air defense deliveries after Russian drone strike
Photo: Romania asks NATO for air defense systems (Getty Images)
Romania will officially ask NATO to accelerate the delivery of air defense systems. The decision was made after a Russian drone crashed into a residential building in the city of Galați, states Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu, according to POLITICO.
Drone crash and NATO’s response
According to the outlet, a Russian drone entered Romanian airspace on the night of Friday, May 29, and crashed into the roof of an apartment building in Galați, near the border with Ukraine.
The incident sparked a fire, and two people suffered minor injuries. According to Romania’s Ministry of Defense, the drone had crossed Ukrainian airspace, where Russia was attacking civilian targets.
The foreign minister described the incident as "an unacceptable and blatant violation of airspace." She noted that NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Alexus Grynkewich had supported Bucharest’s previous proposals on relocating military equipment, and Romania is now asking for those deliveries to be accelerated.
The country is not currently planning to invoke Article 4 of the NATO treaty on urgent consultations.
"We have confirmation it is a Russian drone," Oana Țoiu stressed.
During the incident, two F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets were scrambled, but the drone was not shot down because the threat emerged over a populated area.
The alliance is currently assessing options to optimize Romania’s air defense systems, which could include transferring the domestically developed MEROPS anti-drone system under NATO command.
Romania’s acting Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan clarified that the country is requesting, among other things, specialized radars capable of detecting low-altitude targets from its partners.
Diplomatic sanctions
In addition to military requests, Bucharest has taken tough diplomatic measures — the Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian ambassador to Bucharest, Romania is closing Russia’s Consulate General in the city of Constanța, and Russia’s consul general will be expelled from the country.
The decision was also confirmed by Romanian President Nicușor Dan.
In response, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova threatened Bucharest with "retaliation," while Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council Dmitry Medvedev cynically stated that EU countries "should keep quiet on this issue."
Meanwhile, the EU expressed outrage over the incident — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Russia’s aggression had "crossed yet another line."
What is known about the drone crash in Romania
On the night of May 29, during Russia’s massive attack on the Odesa region, an enemy drone crossed into Romanian airspace. It struck a residential building in the city of Galați, sparking a fire and injuring at least two people. The country’s authorities had warned in advance about the risk of falling debris.
Later, Romanian President Nicușor Dan revealed new details of the incident while visiting affected civilians. At the time, Romania explained the strike by saying the Russian drone had been part of a large group of 43 UAVs moving along the Danube River.
Following the attack, Bucharest resorted to drastic measures and imposed sanctions against Russian diplomats. In particular, Romania announced what it described as the "harshest response," which includes the complete closure of the Russian consulate in Constanța and the expulsion of the consul from the country.
