THIS is the dramatic moment a Russian drone pummelled a block of flats in Romania – branded by Sir Keir Starmer as a “serious violation” of Nato airspace.
Footage shows the Geran-2 suicide weapon exploding on impact, tearing through the top-floor of a building in the city of Galati, near the Ukrainian border.
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The exact moment of the drone strike in Galati Credit: X
Russian suicide drone strikes block of flats in Nato nation Romania Credit: X
Brickwork and shards of glass are seen raining over the asphalt outside in the early hours of this morning, while a fire raged on the rooftop.
A 53-year-old woman and her 14-year-old son suffered minor injuries, two others were treated for panic attacks and 70 residents were evacuated from the blazing block.
This was the first time that a densely populated area in a NATO country has been hit, wounding civilians.
Starmer “unreservedly” condemned the strike, adding: “Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and attacks on civilians and infrastructure threatens the security of our entire continent.
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“Time and again, Russia has shown it has no regard for civilian life, for international law, or for the sovereignty of its neighbours. That must not be allowed to stand.
“We stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine, with Romania, and with all our NATO allies in the face of continued Russian aggression.”
Defence Secretary John Healey also warned Russia’s “reckless and illegal actions” in Ukraine are spreading beyond their borders.
He reiterated that the UK stands firm with Romania, before providing more details about the response.
A fire on top of a block of flats in Galati, eastern Romania Credit: AP
Romanian law enforcement officers work on the site of the explosion Credit: Reuters
“RAF jets are already deployed to Romania to support NATO,” he added.
Healey also said the UK will work with the alliance’s Secretary General to help strengthen that presence if required.
The drone entered Romania’s airspace at 1.52am local time after travelling 6.2 miles, according to General Brigadier Gheorghe Maxim.
He told a press conference today that the army only had four minutes to respond, making the decision to engage difficult.
“In the case of small-size drones, which fly at low altitudes and relatively slow speeds, the available time to identify, evaluate, classify the aerial threat and take a decision to engage and combat is sometimes extremely short,” he said.
Maxim stressed legal restrictions prohibited Romania from “engaging in such a way that the projectile might violate the airspace of a neighbouring country.”
He explained that the country could not deploy a projectile that might reach the Ukrainian airspace.
The attack happened as the Ukrainian port of Izmail, in the Odesa region, across the border from Galati, was pounded by Russian drones.
A view shows destruction caused by a Russian drone hitting an apartment building Credit: Getty
Police and forensic investigators examine the location of impact Credit: AFP
Romania’s defence ministry said two F-16 fighter jets had been scrambled and a military helicopter was sent to monitor the strike.
Pilots have been authorised to shoot down drones without endangering inhabited areas.
The residents of border counties Braila, Galati and Tulcea were warned to take cover.
This comes as Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that Ukraine has intelligence data indicating that Russia is preparing for a new “massive attack”.
“It is important that all our partners know what is happening and that Russia continues to rely on missiles and further war, not diplomatic steps,” the Ukrainian President said.
“This means that additional sanctions pressure on Russia is needed and that the implementation of our air defence arrangements with partners cannot be delayed.”
So far there has been no peep from Vladimir Putin.
Russia’s TASS news agency cited Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov as saying that the President had been informed about the incident.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warned the West to prepare for more drone strikes on NATO territory in a wild rant on social media.
“Let them get ready: this will continue to happen – there is a war,” he said, accusing European states of being directly involved in the war.
“Yes, they are fighting with the help of Banderites (Ukrainian nationalists), but what difference does it make to us?
“European drones, spare parts for them, other weapons, not to mention intelligence, are participating in attacks on our country every day.
“As a result of their actions, residential buildings are damaged, killing our civilians.”
