(SeaPRwire) – A drone hit an apartment building in Romania on Friday, local officials reported, triggering an explosion and fire that left several people wounded. Romania is a member of the NATO alliance.
The country’s Defense Ministry stated the event took place during an overnight Russian drone assault on areas of neighboring Ukraine close to the Romanian border.
The ministry explained, “A drone breached Romanian airspace, was monitored by radar systems to the Southern part of Galați municipality, and impacted the roof of a residential apartment building.”
Since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Romania—which belongs to NATO and the European Union—has documented over two dozen cases of Russian drones crossing into its airspace.
This Friday’s event was the first instance of a drone hitting a populated location within Romania and causing injuries.
According to Romania’s state news agency, a woman and her child were taken to a hospital with minor wounds, and two other individuals received on-site treatment for panic attacks.
In the aftermath, Romania has asked NATO for enhanced anti-drone support and characterized the drone’s route as a major breach of international law, as reported by The Associated Press.
Romania’s emergency agency confirmed the drone struck the building and detonated, igniting a fire on the tenth floor.
The agency noted the drone’s full explosive charge went off when it hit.
Officials said seventy individuals were evacuated from the structure. The blaze has now been contained.
The defense ministry reported that two F-16 fighter aircraft and a military helicopter were scrambled to observe the Russian assault. Pilots had clearance to fire on any drones deemed a threat.
This incident follows remarks earlier this week from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who said he is urging the United States to supply more Patriot air defense missiles to help defend against Russian strikes.
He cautioned that shipments to Ukraine are becoming critically low as U.S. military assets and inventories are stretched by conflict with Iran.
“I think [the U.S.] needs to move faster. We are being very persistent,” Zelenskyy informed reporters while visiting Sweden.
Reuters and
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