A Russian-operated drone crashed into a residential building in the Romanian city of Galati on Friday, causing a fire and minor injuries to two people, according to Al Jazeera and BBC reports. The drone. Which was part of an overnight attack aimed at Ukraine, breached Romanian airspace and hit the roof of an apartment block, damaging the lift shaft and triggering emergency evacuations.

Residents Describe Fears and Damage

Costel Patrichi. A building resident and caretaker. Described the incident as terrifying. Though he noted that a phone alert had warned residents of the approaching drone just before 2:00 a.m. Moments later, the building was struck, causing panic and sending several residents fleeing, though Patrichi expressed frustration, saying, “They told us we are protected by NATO, not to worry. But look where we are now!”

The drone hit the lift shaft on the roof, which absorbed much of the blast. As a result, the damage was limited. However, a woman and her teenage son were hospitalized with bruises and minor burns. The BBC reported that residents were still returning to check on their homes as of Saturday, with the roof hole covered in plastic for safety.

Government Response and NATO Concerns

Romania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the incident as a serious violation of international law. According to Al Jazeera, the country summoned the Russian ambassador and warned of consequences for diplomatic relations. Foreign Minister Oana Toiu wrote on social media that Romania would communicate the “next steps at the European level regarding sanctions packages.”

Outgoing Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan announced that Romania would sign a contract for anti-drone defenses under the European Union’s SAFE programme within hours of the incident. The move follows repeated drone incursions into NATO airspace, including incidents in Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, and Finland. These incursions have contributed to political instability, including a government collapse in Latvia earlier this month.

Broader Implications and Public Anxiety

The incident has raised concerns about the risk of an open confrontation between Russia and NATO. According to Al Jazeera, the drone was tracked by radar before crashing in Galati. Authorities scrambled two F-16 fighter jets and a helicopter to respond. However, interception was deemed too risky once the drone was over a populated area.

Residents in Galati now report feeling unsafe. “Now I’m afraid,” Patrichi said, reflecting the sentiment of many. The BBC highlighted the broader impact of the war in Ukraine spilling into neighboring NATO countries, with repeated incursions into airspace causing alarm and distrust in the effectiveness of current defenses.

Romania’s call for NATO to speed up the transfer of anti-drone capabilities shows the urgency of the situation. As tensions rise along NATO’s eastern flank, the international community is closely watching how diplomatic and military responses will shape the future of the region.