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Romanian President Nicusor Dan announced Friday that Romania will expel Russia’s consul general in the Black Sea city of Constanta. He also confirmed the closure of the Russian consulate in the city after a drone, identified by the Romanian authorities as Russian, crashed into a residential building.
“Russia bears full responsibility for this incident ... In light of this situation, the Russian Federation's Consul General in Constanta has been declared persona non grata, and the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Constanta will be closed,” Dan said in a video statement.
The move came after a drone struck a 10-story apartment building in the southeastern city of Galati early Friday, causing an explosion and fire that injured two people, according to Romanian authorities.
Romania summoned Russia’s ambassador following what Foreign Minister Oana Toiu described as an “extremely serious incident.”
“We have confirmation from the Ministry of National Defense that the drone which crashed into a residential building in Galati was of Russian origin,” Toiu said in a post on X.
“Romania’s security is our absolute priority,” she added.
Toiu said Bucharest would formally communicate the diplomatic consequences of the incident to Moscow and discuss “the next steps at the European level regarding sanctions packages.”
She also said Dan convened the Supreme Council of National Defense following the crash.
In a separate post on X, Dan described the incident as “the direct consequence of Russia's war of aggression unleashed against Ukraine.”
“The unprecedented nature of the event demands a firm, coordinated, and appropriate response—at the national, allied, and international levels,” he said.
Dan said Romania would seek additional allied anti-drone capabilities, inform the U.N. Security Council and consider further measures affecting relations with Russia.
“The latest incident is a result of the irresponsible and indiscriminate manner in which Moscow operates these weapon systems in the immediate vicinity of NATO borders,” he added.
The president said the Romanian forces did not shoot down the drone because of the risk to civilians.
Russia said it would respond to Romania’s decision.
“Retaliatory measures in response to the declaration of the Russian Consul General as persona non grata and the closure of the Consulate General will not be long in coming,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova told the state-run RIA news agency.
Zakharova described Western reactions to the drone crash as a “fuss.”
NATO and European Union officials condemned the drone strike and expressed support for Romania.
NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said the alliance condemns Russia’s “recklessness.”
“NATO will continue to strengthen our defenses against all threats, including drones,” she said, adding that NATO’s secretary-general was in contact with Romanian authorities.
Later, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said he had assured Romania of the alliance’s “absolute solidarity.”
“Russia’s war needs to end, as does Russia’s disregard for civilian safety,” Rutte said on X. “For our part, we will continue to strengthen our deterrence and defense at home and continue our support for Ukraine as they defend against Russia’s aggression.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said civilians had been injured “on EU territory” and pledged continued pressure on Moscow, including work on a 21st sanctions package.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described the incident as “a blatant and serious violation of Romania's sovereignty and European airspace.”
“Russia has long ago stopped respecting borders. Moscow cannot be allowed to breach European airspace with impunity,” Kallas said.
Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen also condemned the strike, saying Russia had once again demonstrated “reckless disregard for civilian life” and reaffirming support for Romania, Ukraine and NATO’s eastern flank.
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