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Drone strike in Galati shatters sense of security
Residents of a Romanian apartment block returned on Saturday to inspect damage after a Russian attack drone crashed through the roof early Friday, leaving a gaping hole and sparking a fire. The incident marks the most severe cross-border strike in Romania since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022.
The attack
The drone, identified as a Russian-made Geran-2 (also known as a Shahed), tore through the roof of a high-rise in Galati, a city near the Ukrainian border, just after 2 a.m. local time. The impact destroyed part of the top floor and damaged the apartment below, where a woman and her teenage son were hospitalized with bruises and minor burns.
Costel Patrichi, the building's administrator, said the drone struck the lift shaft, which absorbed much of the blast. "If it had hit the side, it could have collapsed an entire floor-or worse," he told reporters. Residents received a warning on their phones moments before the explosion, alerting them to an incoming drone from the nearby Ukrainian border.
Romania's response and NATO's dilemma
Romanian authorities confirmed the drone's origin, citing similarities to another unexploded Geran-2 recovered weeks earlier. President Nicușor Dan stated, "It's certain this was a Russian drone," adding that 43 drones were tracked flying westward on Friday before one veered into Romanian airspace after being hit by Ukrainian air defenses.
NATO allies condemned the strike as "reckless" but stopped short of accusing Moscow of a deliberate attack on Romania. Bucharest considered invoking Article 4 of the NATO treaty-triggering emergency consultations-but opted against it to avoid public alarm. Article 5, the alliance's collective defense clause, was not discussed.
Instead, Romania expelled Russian consulate staff from the port city of Constanta as a "warning," with President Dan hinting at further diplomatic measures, including the potential expulsion of Russia's ambassador.
Military and diplomatic fallout
The incident has intensified calls for NATO to accelerate military support along its eastern flank. Romania is already acquiring drones and plans to collaborate with Ukrainian firms to develop additional defense systems. Meanwhile, the EU is preparing another round of sanctions against Russia, though residents in Galati remain skeptical of their impact.
"They could take everything from Russia, and they would still attack,"
Adrian, a resident of the damaged building
Fear takes root
For Galati's residents, the strike has shattered any illusion of safety. Patrichi admitted he would now sleep in fear, echoing the nightly terror endured by Ukrainians under Russian bombardment. "This was insane-it happened right in the middle of town," Adrian, another resident, said. "No one feels safe now."
The attack underscores the growing risk of the war spilling beyond Ukraine's borders, with NATO members like Romania increasingly in the crosshairs.
