NATO condemns Russia after drone hits apartment building in Romania

NATO members have condemned Russia after an explosive-laden drone struck an apartment building in Romania near the Ukrainian border, injuring two people.

Romanian officials said the drone hit a residential building in the city of Galati early on Friday during a wider Russian attack on nearby Ukrainian port infrastructure.

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US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker called the strike a “reckless incursion” and warned: “We will defend every inch of NATO territory.”

Romania’s foreign minister Oana-Silvia Toiu said authorities had confirmed the drone “was of Russian origin”. NATO later confirmed the aircraft was Russian.

The Romanian military said the drone entered national airspace shortly before impact and there was “no opportunity” to intercept it. Officials added that “the situation is under control”.

A senior NATO military official said the alliance tracked the drone as it crossed into Romanian airspace near the border with Ukraine.

“To put this in context, you are talking about something that is travelling nearly 200 km/h over a populated area less than 15 km from the border,” the official said.

Romania has since urged NATO and the European Union to accelerate support for anti-drone defence systems.