Romanian President Dan attributes full blame to Moscow after drone hits housing block
A Russian military drone struck a 10-story residential building in the Romanian city of Galati. The kinetic impact triggered a severe fire in a top-floor apartment, injuring civilians and forcing emergency evacuations.
The incident has triggered an immediate national security crisis. Romanian President Nicușor Dan convened the Supreme Council of National Defence (CSAT) and stated with full firmness that the responsibility lies entirely with the Russian Federation. President Dan explained that the drone, part of a 43-craft Russian swarm targeting Ukrainian Danube ports, deflected into Romanian airspace after being intercepted over Reni. Military air defenses tracked the target but had only a tight four-minute window before impact, preventing a safe shoot-down over populated areas.
At a summit in Astana, Russian President Vladimir Putin denied Moscow's involvement, counter-claiming that the debris likely belongs to a stray Ukrainian drone. Putin added that Russia would only offer an assessment if western or Romanian authorities provided physical data and remnants for a joint objective investigation.
The rhetorical clash escalated further as former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warned European leaders on social media to prepare for "sleepless nights." Medvedev stated that drone incursions into NATO territory would continue as a direct consequence of the West's involvement in the war against Russia.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova confirmed that Moscow will soon launch retaliatory measures against Bucharest. This follows Romania's recent diplomatic expulsion of the Russian Consul General.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
