Galați drone crash: President convenes security council after “most serious incident” on Romanian territory since start of Ukraine war

Romanian president Nicușor Dan convened a meeting of the Supreme Council of National Defence (CSAT) on Friday, May 29, following what he described as “the most serious incident affecting Romanian territory” since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine. The statement came after a Russian drone crashed into a residential building in the city of Galați overnight, injuring two people and triggering a fire.

In a first statement, Dan said Romania would take "proportionate measures" in relation to the Russian Federation and stressed that responsibility for the incident rests entirely with Moscow.

“What happened today in Galați is a direct consequence of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, of the irresponsible and indiscriminate way in which Moscow operates these weapons systems in the immediate vicinity of NATO borders, and of its systematic disregard for international law," the president said. “There is no ambiguity whatsoever regarding the perpetrator of this aggression or its cause.”

Nicușor Dan said Romanian armed forces had followed established procedures and had standing orders to shoot down the drone as soon as conditions allowed, without risking civilian casualties or damage on the ground.

After military radars detected the drone entering Romanian airspace, two F-16 fighter jets and an IAR-330 SOCAT helicopter tracked it. However, authorities decided not to engage the target because it could not be safely destroyed over an urban area, the president explained.

He also announced several immediate measures in response to the incident, including informing NATO allies and European Union partners, requesting additional allied anti-drone capabilities for Romania and the eastern flank, and formally notifying the United Nations Security Council about what he called a repeated violation of international law by Russia.

“Romania is a NATO member state and will not, under any circumstances, accept that Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine be transferred onto its citizens. Defending Romania’s national territory and its citizens remains my highest constitutional duty. It is a responsibility that we fulfill together with our allies, and today, as every day, we are stronger together,” Nicușor Dan said.

“Romania’s support for Ukraine - political, humanitarian, military, and on its path toward European integration - remains unwavering. The longer Russia continues this war, the clearer it becomes that it must end through a just and lasting peace that respects Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity,” he added.

Meanwhile, during a press conference, representatives of the Ministry of Defense said the situation is under control and stressed that the country is not under attack.