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A NATO member, Romania, faced an alarming incident on Friday when a drone collided with an apartment complex, leading to a subsequent explosion and fire. Local officials reported that the event resulted in several injuries.
The Romanian Ministry of Defense revealed that the drone incident was part of a broader overnight attack by Russia targeting areas in neighboring Ukraine, close to the Romanian border.
According to the ministry, the drone breached Romanian airspace and was monitored by radar systems until it reached the southern part of Galați municipality. It eventually crashed onto the roof of a residential apartment building, causing the damage and injuries.
Romania, which holds membership in both NATO and the European Union, has documented over two dozen instances of Russian drones violating its airspace since the start of Moscow’s offensive against Ukraine.
The situation escalated to the point where NATO had to scramble warplanes as Russian military actions neared the Romanian border in Ukraine.
A fire burns on the roof of a 10-story block of flats after a drone crashed into the building, causing an explosion and injuring two people, near the border with Ukraine, in Galati, Romania. (Romanian Department for Emergency Situations/Handout via REUTERS)
Friday’s incident marked the first time a drone struck a populated area in Romania, resulting in injuries.
Romania’s state news agency reported that a woman and her child were hospitalized with minor injuries, while two other people were treated at the scene for panic attacks.
Following the incident, Romania requested additional anti-drone capabilities from NATO and described the drone’s flight path as a serious violation of international law, according to The Associated Press.
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Russian servicemen prepare to launch an interceptor drone for an action in an undisclosed location in Ukraine. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)
Romania’s emergency response agency said the drone struck the apartment building and exploded, sparking a fire on the 10th floor.
The agency said the drone’s entire explosive payload detonated upon impact.
Seventy people were evacuated from the building, authorities said. The fire has since been brought under control.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged the United States and its allies to provide additional air defense systems as Russia intensifies drone and missile attacks. (Javier SORIANO / AFP via Getty Images)
The defense ministry said two F-16 fighter jets and a military helicopter were deployed to monitor the Russian attack. The pilots were authorized to shoot down any drones that posed a threat.
The incident came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said earlier this week that he was pressing the United States to provide additional Patriot air defense missiles to help counter Russian attacks.
He warned that deliveries to Ukraine were falling dangerously short as the conflict with Iran strains U.S. military resources and stockpiles.
“I believe [the U.S.] must act quicker. We are being very persistent,” Zelenskyy told reporters during a visit to Sweden.
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