NATO condemns Russia after drone strikes Romanian apartment block
Allies rally behind Bucharest as European Commission and French officials warn of escalating threats to the continent’s security architecture.
NATO has condemned what it described as “Russia’s recklessness” after a Russian drone, launched during an overnight offensive on Ukraine, crashed into a 10-storey apartment building in Galati, eastern Romania. The incident, which occurred on the night of 28–29 May 2026, injured at least two people and ignited a fire on the roof of the residential block.
In a statement posted on social media, a NATO spokesperson affirmed that the alliance would continue to strengthen its defences against all threats, including drones, following the breach of Romanian airspace. The Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs labelled the event a “grave and irresponsible escalation” from Moscow. Bucharest has formally informed allies and the NATO secretary-general of the circumstances and has requested the accelerated transfer of anti-drone capabilities from partner nations.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that Russia had “crossed yet another line” by striking a densely populated area in a member state. “We stand in full solidarity with Romania and its people,” von der Leyen said, adding that the alliance would keep increasing pressure on Russia while strengthening security and deterrence on its eastern border.
French Minister for European Affairs Benjamin Haddad described the incident as a direct threat to European security, noting that it demonstrated Russia’s willingness to destabilise the broader region. Haddad highlighted the presence of French troops in Romania as part of NATO’s reassurance operations, designed specifically to support the sovereignty of European partners.
Concurrent with the aerial incident, Russian drones attacked three foreign-flagged merchant vessels in the Black Sea late on Thursday and overnight on Friday, according to Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba. The strikes caused fires on board the vessels, which were extinguished by the crews. Ukraine’s navy confirmed a targeted attack on a Turkish-owned, Vanuatu-flagged cargo ship bound for Turkey that had departed from Odesa, resulting in two wounded crew members.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces continued their own strikes on Russian territory. Governor Mikhail Yevrayev reported that fuel storage facilities caught fire in the Yaroslavl region, northeast of Moscow, following a Ukrainian drone attack. Interfax, citing the Russian defence ministry, stated that Russia downed 208 drones overnight, with over 80 shot down in the southern Rostov region.
