Russian drone hits Romania; EU condemns the incident and prepares 21st sanctions package against Moscow

Brussels – A Russian drone crashed into a residential building in the city of Galati in Romania, a member state of the European Union and NATO. The incident occurred during the night of 28–29 May and caused an explosion and a fire that injured two people. The Romanian Ministry of Defence stated that “the Russian Federation has resumed drone attacks on civilian and infrastructure targets in Ukraine, near the river border with Romania,” and that the crashed aircraft is a Geran-2 drone.

 Reactions from NATO member states were not long in coming. Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General, wrote on X that he had spoken with the Romanian President Nicușor Dan and had “assured Romania of NATO’s absolute solidarity.” Rutte reiterated that the organisation “stands ready to defend every inch of Allied territory. We will continue to enhance our readiness to deter and defend against any threat, including from drones.” Russia’s behaviour is “a danger to us all” and “last night showed yet again that the implications of their illegal war of aggression don’t stop at the border,” Rutte pointed out, pledging to strengthen “our deterrence and defence at home.”

I just spoke with President @NicusorDanRO of Romania about the Russian drone that hit a residential building in Galati. I assured him of NATO’s absolute solidarity with Romania and expressed sympathy for those injured in the incident. I affirmed that NATO stands ready to defend…

— Mark Rutte (@SecGenNATO) 29 May 2026

The Romanian president condemned “this unacceptable violation of Romania’s sovereignty” and stressed that “full responsibility lies with the Russian Federation, whose behaviour demonstrates a total disregard for international law and for the safety of the citizens of a NATO member state.” Nicusor Dan then convened a meeting of the Supreme Council for National Defence to discuss the implications of the incident. “We will take proportionate measures against the Russian Federation,” he said on social media. “I thanked the Secretary General and the Allies for their solidarity,” he added, “and we agreed to continue close coordination within NATO to strengthen our defence and the eastern flank, in particular with anti-aircraft and anti-drone capabilities.” 

Romania’s Foreign Minister, Oana Toiu, summoned the Russian ambassador and informed the Member States of the European Union. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, expressed her solidarity with the country and its people and stated that the EU would continue “to increase pressure on Russia”. Furthermore, she announced the preparation of “a twenty-first package of sanctions.”

Russia’s war of aggression has crossed yet another line.

A Russian drone incursion struck a densely populated area in Romania, injuring civilians.

On EU territory.

We stand in full solidarity with Romania and its people.

As we continue strengthening our security and…

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen)  May 29, 2026

Kaja Kallas, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, also spoke in similar terms. “Russia has long ago stopped respecting borders,” she wrote on X. “Moscow cannot be allowed to breach European airspace with impunity. EU Foreign Ministers yesterday vowed to ramp up pressure on Russia, increase support for Ukraine, and invest in Europe’s own defence readiness.” Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, stated that Europe “stands united in the face of Russian escalation”. Meanwhile, the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, expressed “full solidarity and support to Romania” and emphasised that “Russia’s escalation on EU territory is reckless and irresponsible”. Therefore, “I condemn in the strongest terms this violation of Romania’s national airspace and of international law,” he stated, reiterating that “the EU is united in stepping up pressure on Russia through sanctions and strengthening defence capabilities, in particular along our Eastern border.”

The Hungarian Prime Minister, Péter Magyar, is due to visit the European Commission today (29 May), where he will meet von der Leyen. This morning, he expressed his solidarity on X, emphasising that “the Russian attack highlights once again that the unity of Europe and NATO is more important today than ever before.”

Yesterday’s Russian drone attack once again highlights that the unity of Europe and NATO is more important today than ever before.

In Romania, in the city of Galați, two people were injured in an explosion after a Russian drone struck a residential building.

Hungary strongly…

— Péter Magyar (Don’t be afraid) (@magyarpeterMP)  May 29, 2026

The Slovak Prime Minister, Robert Fico, used a different tone. While expressing “full solidarity with the Romanian government”, he called for “restraint in making inflammatory statements” and once again urged “the immediate opening of dialogue between the European Union and the Russian Federation.”

Reactions have also come from Italy. The Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated that what happened last night represents “a most serious act, which demonstrates how this war of aggression spares no one, continuing to brutally target innocent civilians, disregarding all limits and putting European security at risk.” Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani issued an appeal to Russia: “Once again, the Italian government calls on the Russian Federation to make a serious commitment to a just and lasting peace.”

I strongly condemn the violation of #Romania’s airspace by a Russian drone, which struck a residential building in the city of Galați. Once again, the Italian government calls on the Russian Federation to make a serious commitment to a just and lasting peace.…

— Antonio Tajani (@Antonio_Tajani)

29 May 2026

Finally, Defence Minister, Guido Crosetto, described the events as described the events as “a dangerous and irresponsible escalation that cannot be tolerated” and highlighted the importance of NATO, whose “cohesion remains unshakeable in the face of these threats” because “the security of a member of the Alliance and the European Union is the security of us all.”