BSS
  25 Apr 2026, 16:06

Drone crashes in Romania after Russian strikes in Ukraine

BERLIN, April 25, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A drone crashed in Romania on Saturday after Russian strikes in neighbouring Ukraine near a river separating the two countries, authorities said, adding that over 200 people had been evacuated.

Romania, a NATO member, has repeatedly seen its airspace violated and drone fragments fall on its territory since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

But this was the first time that debris from Russian drones has caused material damage on its territory, according to local media.

"On the morning of Saturday, April 25, Russian forces resumed drone attacks against civilian and infrastructure targets in Ukraine, near the river border with Romania, in Tulcea County," the defence ministry said in a statement.

"A drone crashed in a populated area," with a "possible explosive charge," emergency services said in a separate statement.

No casualties were reported, but an electricity pole and an outbuilding of a house were damaged, authorities said, adding that gas supplies in the area had been cut as a precautionary measure.

Foreign Minister Oana Toiu summoned the Russian ambassador, a statement said.

In 2025, Romania adopted a law authorising it to shoot down drones that violate its airspace, but no such action has been taken so far.