Romanian authorities discovered debris from two Russian drones on Saturday following overnight strikes on neighboring Ukraine, marking an escalation in cross-border incidents that damaged property for the first time.
Officials found drone wreckage in the southeastern city of Galati, where an electrical pole and residential outbuilding sustained damage, along with additional fragments in nearby Tulcea county. No injuries were reported in either location, according to Romania’s defense ministry.
Emergency responders temporarily relocated residents near the Galati crash site while bomb disposal teams secured the potentially explosive drone remnants.
The incidents occurred as Russia targeted Ukrainian ports along the Danube River. Romania, which maintains NATO and European Union membership, shares approximately 400 miles of border with Ukraine and has experienced repeated airspace violations from Russian drones during Moscow’s ongoing military campaign.
While drone debris has previously landed on Romanian soil, Saturday’s events represented the first instance of actual property destruction.
“The defence ministry firmly condemns the irresponsible actions of the Russian Federation and emphasizes that these represent a new challenge to regional security and stability in the Black Sea area,” the ministry’s statement said.
“Such incidents demonstrate the Russian Federation’s lack of respect for the norms of international law and endanger not only the safety of Romanian citizens, but also the collective security of NATO.”
British Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft participating in Romania’s air policing mission launched to monitor the situation, following standard protocols. Authorities also issued shelter warnings for Tulcea county residents.
Recent months have seen increasing tensions across Europe’s eastern borders as suspected Russian drones have violated multiple NATO countries’ airspace.
Romanian legislation permits shooting down drones during peacetime when lives or property face threats, though officials have not yet exercised this authority.
Defense Minister Radu Miruta announced Friday that an American-made, artificial intelligence-powered anti-drone system would join national air defenses within days after completing final testing.
The Merops system, created by Project Eagle — a U.S. company supported by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt — will address drone threats along the Danube River, Miruta explained.
Poland currently operates the same system along NATO’s eastern frontier.
Romania’s foreign ministry summoned the Russian ambassador to formally protest the border violations.
