The European Union has strongly condemned Russia after a drone crashed into a residential apartment block in Romania, injuring two people and raising fresh concerns about spillover from the war in Ukraine.
Romania’s foreign ministry said the incident occurred during a wave of Russian strikes on Ukraine, though Moscow has not yet commented on the matter. Emergency services extinguished a fire caused by the impact, and no deaths were reported.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Russia’s actions had “crossed yet another line”, describing the incident as part of its broader “war of aggression”. The statement added to growing diplomatic pressure on Moscow from European leaders.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) also condemned what it called Russia’s “reckless behaviour”, warning that attacks near alliance borders risk further escalation. Romania, a NATO member state, shares a border with Ukraine and has previously reported drone debris and airspace violations linked to the ongoing conflict.
Romanian President Nicusor Dan described the incident as the most serious breach of Romanian territory since the war began in 2022. Officials say investigations are ongoing to determine the exact origin and trajectory of the drone.
The incident highlights growing concerns among NATO members about the expanding geographic impact of the Russia-Ukraine war, as military activity increasingly affects areas beyond Ukraine’s borders.
