Russian drone hits apartment block in Galati, Romania (NATO); two civilians hospitalized; 28th Romanian airspace breach; consul general expelled
A Russian drone hit an apartment block in Galati, Romania early Friday, injuring a 14-year-old boy and a 53-year-old woman. NATO tracked it crossing the border. It is the 28th Russian drone to breach Romanian airspace. Romania expels Russia's consul general in Constanta.
A Russian drone struck the roof of a residential apartment building in Galati, Romania, in the early hours of Friday morning, injuring two civilians: a 14-year-old boy and a 53-year-old woman, both taken to hospital with light injuries. Romania's Ministry of National Defence confirmed the drone was of Russian origin. Galati lies on the Danube, near the Ukrainian border, on NATO territory. NATO detected and tracked the drone as it crossed into Romanian airspace, but according to officials it entered Romanian territory just minutes before impact. The incident marks the 28th time Russian drones have breached Romanian airspace since Moscow began targeting Ukrainian ports across the Danube. The strike drew swift condemnation from the European Union and NATO. US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker described the incursion as 'reckless.' Romania has summoned the Russian ambassador, announced it will expel the Russian consul general in Constanta, and close the Russian consular mission there. Russia denied responsibility, with President Vladimir Putin reportedly demanding proof that the drone was Russian-launched, according to France 24. Reporting by CNN, Washington Post, CBS News, France 24, and Kyiv Independent.