Developments in Romania are unfolding rapidly after a Russian drone crashed into an apartment building in the city of Galați, causing material damage and injuring two people.

On Friday afternoon, Romanian President Nicușor Dan stated after the emergency meeting of the Supreme Council of National Defense (CSAT) that Russia bears full responsibility for the incident. “Full responsibility for this incident lies with Russia, a country that has been waging an aggressive war against Ukraine for more than four years,” the Romanian president stressed.

Dan also announced that Romania had declared the Consul General of the Russian Federation in Constanța persona non grata and had decided to close the Russian Consulate General in the city.

🇷🇴 "The entire responsibility for this incident lies with Russia — a country that has been waging a war of aggression against Ukraine for more than four years," Romanian President Nicușor Dan said after a Russian drone struck a residential building in Galați.

The Russian… https://t.co/xbv7J2gNO5 pic.twitter.com/fLzrtl7Ii1

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) May 29, 2026

“We know the drone’s route”

The Romanian president said authorities had identified the unmanned aircraft as a Russian Geran-2 drone that had taken off from Russian territory.

“We know its route, we know which regions of Ukraine it passed through, and we know where it entered Romania. It was part of a swarm of 43 Russian drones, of which only one reached Romanian territory,” he said.

At the same time, he criticized “the irresponsibility of certain Romanian politicians and opinion makers” who, according to him, are trying to justify Russia over the incident.

Romania accelerates strengthening of air defense

Dan also announced that Romania is moving ahead with strengthening its anti-aircraft capabilities. He said the country is participating in the European SAFE program, which includes a major component for the development and procurement of anti-aircraft systems.

“I want to inform you that within the SAFE framework we have a significant program dedicated to anti-aircraft capabilities so that we can respond to incidents of this kind,” he said.

According to him, the relevant contracts are in their final stage and are expected to be signed immediately. “The contracts are being signed these days and deliveries will take place within the next one to two years,” he added.

Cooperation with Ukraine on drone production

Dan also recalled that three months ago Romania signed a cooperation agreement with Ukraine for the joint production of drones. “As you know, we have signed an agreement with Ukraine for the joint production of drones,” he said.

He noted that the SAFE program and cooperation with Kyiv are linked to the development of new defense technologies.

Joint mechanism with the US and UK

The Romanian president further announced that the country is participating in a joint mechanism with the United States and the United Kingdom aimed at accelerating the production and testing of drones and counter-drone systems.

“We have a joint mechanism with the United States and Great Britain to accelerate the production and testing of drones, as well as, of course, anti-drone systems,” he said.

Faster deployment of NATO equipment

Until the new systems are delivered, Romania will continue relying on allied support. Dan stated that bilateral agreements and NATO mechanisms already allow defense equipment to be deployed in the country.

“Until this equipment is delivered, we have bilateral agreements and NATO mechanisms that allow the presence of defense assets in Romania. Some have already arrived and others are expected,” he said.

The president also revealed that he raised the issue with the NATO Secretary General. “In the discussion I had with the NATO Secretary General, I stressed the need for speed and we fully agreed that this equipment must arrive in Romania as soon as possible,” he emphasized.

Russia will respond to expulsion of its consul, says Zakharova

Meanwhile, Russia announced retaliatory measures after Romania’s decision to declare the Russian consul persona non grata and close the Russian Consulate General in Constanța.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told the Russian news agency RIA Novosti that Moscow would respond soon to Bucharest’s actions.

“The countermeasures regarding the declaration of the Russian consul as persona non grata and the closure of the consulate general will not be long in coming,” she said.

A second drone also crossed Romanian airspace

In a separate incident, a drone without explosives was detected in the Băsești area of Maramureș County in northwestern Romania, near the border with Ukraine. The area was immediately sealed off by authorities, according to public broadcaster TVR, while the drone reportedly crashed in a rural area without causing further consequences for the local population.

Authorities are investigating the origin of the unmanned aircraft, which according to initial reports has a wingspan of around three meters, as well as how it ended up in the area.

Message of support from Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed solidarity with Romania after the attack.

In a post on X, Zelensky wished the injured a speedy recovery and stressed that Ukraine is ready to support Romania “in every necessary way.”

The incident has caused serious concern in Bucharest and within NATO, as it represents one of the most serious violations of Romanian airspace since the start of the war in Ukraine.