Nicosia, Cyprus. President Nikos Christodoulides on Friday condemned as “reckless” the collision of a Russian drone with a block of flats in the Romanian city of Galati, saying its presence in Romanian airspace was “a flagrant violation of Romania’s sovereignty”.
Christodoulides statement
“The drone crash [into] a residential building in Galati is a serious and reckless escalation, a flagrant violation of Romania’s sovereignty, and a stark reminder that Russia’s war against Ukraine continues to threaten European security,” he wrote in a post on social media.
He added that “European coordination and solidarity in responding to evolving security challenges is crucial” and that “Cyprus stands in full solidarity with Romania and the families of the injured”.
Romanian response
Romania’s defence ministry said on Friday morning that a drone had “entered Romanian airspace, being tracked by radar to the southern area of the city of Galati”, and “crashed into the roof of a block of flats”, after which the building caught fire.
It also said the drone had strayed into Romanian airspace amid “drone attacks on civilian and infrastructure targets in Ukraine in the vicinity of the river border with Romania”.
Injuries and diplomacy
Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu said two people had “sustained minor injuries” in the incident, while “several residents required medical attention”.
“This incident represents a serious and irresponsible escalation by the Russian Federation. Romania will take the necessary diplomatic response measures regarding this serious violation of international law and of its airspace,” she said.
She added that Romania “has informed [European Union] member states, the allies, and the Nato secretary-general [Mark Rutte] of the circumstances, and has requested measures to accelerate the transfer of anti-drone capabilities to Romania”.
“The Russian Federation bears direct responsibility for these grave and irresponsible actions. Romania will act with the utmost determination to increase international pressure on the Russian Federation with a view to achieving an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire,” she said.