Costa wrote on X: “Russia’s escalation on EU territory is reckless and irresponsible. I condemn in the strongest terms this violation of Romania’s national airspace and of international law.”
The EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas added: “Russia has long ago stopped respecting borders. Moscow cannot be allowed to breach European airspace with impunity.”
The drone crashed into the roof of a residential building in Galați, near Romania’s borders with Moldova and Ukraine. The impact caused a fire and left two people with minor injuries.
A NATO spokesperson echoed von der Leyen and Costa’s comments, condemning “Russia’s recklessness.” NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has already spoken with Romanian authorities about the incident, the defense alliance said.
Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan also condemned the incident in a statement on Facebook. “This situation is unacceptable and represents a new violation of airspace, generated by the irresponsible and unjustified continuation of the war led by Russia in Ukraine. This war continues to affect the security of Romania and the states on the eastern flank,” Bolojan wrote.
Bolojan added that Romania must “accelerate” efforts to strengthen the country’s defenses. He announced that a contract in the framework of the EU’s SAFE program for anti-drone equipment for the Romanian army was set to be signed on Friday.
Maia Sandu, prime minister of Romania’s neighboring country Moldova, also condemned the incident, writing: “Russia is a danger to all and must be stopped.”