Romania summons Russian ambassador after drone damages building
Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu ordered the Russian ambassador in Bucharest summoned after a Russian drone used in attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure crashed and damaged a building in the Galați municipality, the ministry said on X on April 25.
The Russian Federation has violated the sovereignty of Romania’s airspace through a new irresponsible action that could endanger the safety of the population, the Romanian Foreign Ministry said.
“It is an irresponsible and provocative act that violates basic principles of international law,” it said.
For over four years, Russia has been waging an illegal war against Ukraine, the Foreign Ministry said.
“This is not only a brutal imperialist act of conquest against a sovereign neighbour, but also a violation of regional and global peace and security,” it said.
Romania’s Ministry of National Defence said on April 25 that its radars had detected drones operating close to Romania’s airspace.
Two British Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft conducting Enhanced Air Policing missions scrambled at 2am from the 86th Air Base in Fetești.
The RAF aircraft established radar contact with a target located 1.5km from Reni, over Ukrainian territory.
The pilots were authorized to engage the drones. Because that specific target did not breach Romanian airspace, it could not be fired upon, the National Defence Ministry said.
The mission remained one of surveillance, deterrence, and readiness to respond if required.
The RAF aircraft operated strictly within the Romanian airspace, in accordance with the national and allied rules of engagement. They did not enter the Ukrainian airspace at any point during the mission.
Allied aircraft maintained a defensive posture, contributing to enhanced situational awareness and the protection of Nato airspace, the ministry said.
“The Ministry of National Defence strongly condemns the irresponsible actions of the Russian Federation and emphasizes that they pose a new challenge to regional security and stability in the Black Sea area,” it said.
Such incidents demonstrate the Russian Federation’s disregard for international law and endanger not only the Romanian citizens’ safety but also Nato’s collective security, the ministry said.
“Romania remains firmly committed to fulfilling its obligations as a member state of the Alliance and will continue to work closely with its partners and allies to monitor and defend its national airspace,” the ministry said.
(Photo of the Romanian government building via the government’s page on X)
