Russian drone strikes apartment building in NATO member Romania, injuring two

A Russian drone struck a 10-story apartment building in Galati, Romania, a NATO member, injuring two people on May 29, 2026. The incident, which occurred during a Russian attack on the nearby Ukrainian port of Izmail, marks the first time a drone has caused injuries in a populated area of Romania. Romania condemned the strike as a "grave escalation," scrambled F-16s, and requested more anti-drone capabilities from NATO.

Galati apartment building strike

• ▪Two people were injured in the strike; a woman and her child were taken to a hospital with minor injuries
• ▪The incident was the first time during the war that a Russian drone had hit a densely populated area in Romania and caused injuries
• ▪The drone strike caused an explosion and a fire on the 10th floor, prompting the evacuation of about 70 people
• ▪A Russian drone struck a 10-story apartment building in the city of Galati, Romania, on May 29, 2026

Romanian airspace violations

• ▪The drone entered Romanian airspace at 1:54 a.m. but was lost from radar as it flew low toward Galati
• ▪Russian drones have breached Romanian airspace 28 times since Moscow began attacking Ukrainian ports on the Danube
• ▪Fragments from Russian drones have been found on Romanian territory on 47 separate occasions

NATO defense measures

• ▪A NATO spokesperson condemned 'Russia's recklessness' and said the alliance would strengthen its defenses against all threats
• ▪Romania has requested that NATO accelerate the transfer of anti-drone capabilities to the country
• ▪The Romanian military scrambled two F-16 fighter jets and a military helicopter, with pilots authorized to engage targets

Romanian government response

• ▪Romania's foreign ministry described the drone incident as a 'grave and irresponsible escalation' by Russia
• ▪Romania stated it would take diplomatic measures and informed NATO of the 'serious breach of international law'

Ukrainian Danube port attacks

• ▪Izmail, located across the Danube River from Romania, is home to the largest Ukrainian port on the river and is a frequent target
• ▪The strike occurred during an overnight Russian drone attack on the nearby Ukrainian port of Izmail in the Odesa region