Italy’s Deputy Foreign Minister Edmondo Cirielli emphasized the importance of upholding international law and fostering unity among European Union (EU) and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries. The incident occurred when a Russian drone struck a residential building in Galati city, Romania, causing a fire and injuring two individuals. Cirielli described the attack as “extremely serious,” stressing the need to prevent conflicts that endanger European security and stability.
The drone assault in Galati has sparked strong reactions from Italian leaders, including Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, as well as NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas. The condemnation comes amid escalating concerns regarding Russia’s broader use of hybrid warfare tactics across Europe.
Following the attack, Romanian Foreign Minister Toiu Oana confirmed that the drone was of Russian origin and summoned the Russian Ambassador to Romania, Vladimir Lipayev. Oana expressed the gravity of the situation, highlighting the implications for diplomatic relations between the two countries and potential European sanctions in response to Russia’s actions.
In response to the drone strike, Romania’s President Nicusor Dan convened the Supreme Council of National Defence to address the situation. The attack led to a fire on the rooftop of a residential building, resulting in minor injuries to two individuals and necessitating medical attention for several residents. The building was evacuated promptly to ensure the safety of its occupants.
