Romania on Russian drone crashing into residential building: irresponsible escalation by Russia

The Romanian Foreign Ministry has described the crash of a Russian UAV into a high-rise residential building in the city of Galați on the night of 28-29 May as a "serious escalation" by Moscow.

"This incident represents a serious and irresponsible escalation by the Russian Federation. Romania will take the necessary diplomatic measures in response to this critical violation of international law and its airspace," the Romanian Foreign Ministry stated on social media.

The ministry noted that the drone, which had been involved in attacks on infrastructure facilities in Ukraine, crashed in Galați, causing a fire on the roof of a residential building. Two people suffered minor injuries and residents were evacuated.

Romania informed its allies and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte about the incident and requested that measures be taken to expedite the delivery of anti-drone defence systems to the country.

The ministry added that Russia is an aggressor state conducting an illegal war which has serious consequences for regional security and the safety of civilians and that the Russian Federation bears direct responsibility for these actions.

It stated that Romania would act with the utmost determination to increase international pressure on Russia in order to achieve an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire.

A drone struck a 10-storey building in the Romanian city of Galați amid a Russian attack on Ukraine on the night of 28-29 May. Two people were hospitalised and around 70 residents were evacuated.

The Romanian Defence Ministry reported that drone debris has been found on Romanian territory 47 times since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.