NATO member Romania on Friday declared Russia “persona non grata,” or unwelcome, after a Russian drone hit an apartment building in Galati, injuring a mother and child.
Romanian President Nicusor Dan declared the Russian Consul General in Constanta persona non grata following the incident, adding that the consulate will be closed.
“We had a serious incident last night in which two citizens were injured and the entire responsibility lies with Russia,” Dan said. “The Russian Consul General in Constanta has been declared persona non grata and the consulate in Constanta will close.”
In a post on X after the attack, Dan said he informed all NATO and European Union allies, requested allies deploy additional anti-drone defense systems, and alerted the United Nations Security Council.
He blamed the incident entirely on Russia, saying such an attack is a “systematic disregard for international law.”
“I declare, with the utmost firmness, that full responsibility for this incident lies with the Russian Federation,” Dan said. “What happened today in Galati is the direct consequence of Russia’s war of aggression unleashed against Ukraine, the irresponsible and indiscriminate manner in which Moscow operates these weapon systems in the immediate vicinity of NATO borders, as well as the systematic disregard for international law. There is no ambiguity regarding the perpetrator or the cause of this aggression.”
Photos shared by Reuters show the building in Galati, located near the Ukrainian border, with fire coming from a top-floor apartment. The drone was caught on radar entering Romanian airspace before it hit the complex, exploding on impact.
NATO and other European member nations condemned the attack from Russia, affirming their alliance with Romania.
Secretary General Mark Rutte said NATO is “ready to defend every inch of allied territory,” pledging to strengthen defenses against threats to member states.
“Russia’s reckless behaviour is a danger to us all,” Rutte said in an X post. “They continue to target civilians and civilian infrastructure across Ukraine. And last night showed yet again that the implications of their illegal war of aggression don’t stop at the border.”
British Prime Minister Keri Starmer also shared a statement, affirming the United Kingdom’s solidarity with Romania, and echoing Dan’s claim that the attack is a regard for international law.
“This is a serious violation of NATO airspace,” Starmer said. “Time and time again, Russia has shown it has no regard for civilian life, for international law, or the sovereignty of its neighbours.”
U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker also condemned the attack, emphasizing support for Romania.
“Our thoughts are with the injured in Galati,” Whitaker said. “We will defend every inch of NATO territory,” a notable comment considering President Donald Trump’s sharp criticism of the intergovernmental alliance.
Drones have ventured into NATO territories several times since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, some having belonged to Ukraine, causing confusion and worry about further Russian aggression.