Romania says falling drone fragments damaged property overnight after a Russian attack on neighboring Ukraine, marking a new escalation along NATO’s eastern edge.

Authorities confirmed that debris was recovered in the southeastern city of Galați, where an electricity pole and part of a household structure were hit. No casualties were reported, but officials described the incident as the first time material damage has been recorded on Romanian territory from the war, News.Az reports, citing Reuters.

A NATO and EU member, Romania shares a long border with Ukraine and has repeatedly reported Russian drones crossing into its airspace during strikes on Ukrainian ports along the Danube River.

The defense ministry strongly condemned Russia, calling the incident irresponsible and warning it poses a growing threat to regional stability and international law. Officials said such actions endanger not only Romanian citizens but also the broader security framework of NATO.

As the attack unfolded, two Eurofighter Typhoon jets deployed as part of a British air-policing mission were scrambled to monitor the situation. Residents in nearby Tulcea county were also alerted and advised to take cover.

Tensions have been rising across NATO’s eastern flank as suspected Russian drones increasingly breach the airspace of alliance members. Although Romanian law allows drones to be shot down in peacetime if there is a direct threat to lives or infrastructure, authorities have so far refrained from doing so.

Defense Minister Radu Miruță said the country is preparing to strengthen its defenses with a new AI-powered system. The U.S.-developed “Merops” counter-drone technology, backed by a company linked to former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, is expected to be integrated into Romania’s air defense network within days.

Already deployed in Poland, the system is designed to detect and neutralize drone threats, particularly in sensitive areas like the Danube corridor—an increasingly active zone in the ongoing conflict.

The latest incident underscores how the war in Ukraine is spilling beyond its borders, raising fresh concerns about escalation and the risk of direct confrontation involving NATO territory.

News.Az 

By Aysel Mammadzada