Russian President Vladimir Putin is pursuing a reckless policy, effectively allowing regular violations of NATO airspace by Russian drones. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Russian drones have entered Romania at least 28 times. This is stated in a new report by the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW), as reported by UNN.
Drone strike on a residential building in Galați
Analysts recall that on the night of May 29, a Russian Geran-2 drone hit a multi-story residential building in the Romanian city of Galați, approximately seven kilometers from the Ukrainian border. At least two civilians were injured as a result of the strike.
The Romanian Ministry of Defense reported that Russian forces attacked civilian and infrastructure targets near the Ukrainian-Romanian border on the Danube, and one of the drones entered Romanian airspace and crashed into a residential building.
Romanian President Nicușor Dan stated that one of the Russian drones moving towards Romania could have changed its trajectory after being hit by Ukrainian air defense over the Reni district of the Odesa region. At the same time, he emphasized that full responsibility for the incident lies with Russia.
The Kremlin is deliberately risking the security of NATO countries
ISW notes that this is the first time since the beginning of the full-scale war that civilians on the territory of a NATO country have been injured as a result of a Russian drone strike.
The growing number of NATO airspace violations by Russian drones indicates that Putin has adopted a reckless policy that accepts the risk of Russian drones entering Alliance airspace as an acceptable consequence of strikes on Ukraine,
Analysts also emphasize that the Kremlin is effectively ready to tolerate even the risk of civilian casualties in NATO countries.
Russian drones have been repeatedly recorded in Romania and Poland
The report recalls that previously, Russian drones and their debris have been repeatedly recorded in Romania and Poland. According to the Romanian Ministry of Defense, since February 2022 alone, Russia has carried out about 50 strikes near the Ukrainian-Romanian border, and drone debris has fallen on Romanian territory at least 30 times.
Kremlin reaction and Medvedev's threats
Separately, ISW draws attention to the Kremlin's reaction after the incident in Galați. Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev effectively threatened European countries with more such attacks, stating that "this is not the last time."
At the same time, Putin traditionally attempted to cast doubt on the Russian origin of the drone and hinted that the drone could allegedly have been Ukrainian.
ISW analysts believe that the Kremlin uses such incidents to test NATO's reaction and the limits of the Alliance's response to Russian provocations.
Romania considers consultations under NATO Article 4
The report also notes that due to legal restrictions, Romanian air defense cannot operate in a way that missiles or other means of destruction enter Ukrainian airspace. According to the Romanian military, this is precisely what complicates the interception of Russian drones near the border.
Against the backdrop of the incident, Romania has already begun consultations regarding the possible application of NATO Article 4, which provides for consultations between Alliance member states in the event of a security threat. Additionally, Bucharest closed the Russian consulate in Constanța and declared the Russian consul persona non grata.
Romania calls on NATO to accelerate air defense deliveries following drone attack29.05.26, 22:40