Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan said on Saturday that the repeated violation of Romanian airspace by Russia is 'an irresponsible act' and a serious breach of international law, urging Russia to immediately stop such actions.

'Last night, a Russian-made drone crashed in Galati and damaged a household. Following the incident, I spoke with all decision-makers to immediately take the necessary measures. The Government's priority remains the protection and safety of citizens. Diplomatic measures were also taken, including informing partners and allies. The repeated violation of Romanian airspace by Russia is an irresponsible act and a serious breach of international law. I condemn it without reservation and firmly demand that Russia immediately stop such actions,' PM Bolojan wrote in a post on his official Facebook page.

The head of Government added that these incidents are a consequence of the war launched by the Russian Federation against Ukraine and generate risks for Romania's security and that of Eastern Flank states.

'Recent events once again show how important citizens' safety and the strengthening of national security are. The Government will act firmly and will use all instruments at its disposal, including the SAFE [Security Action for Europe] programme, to reduce risks and strengthen the country's defence. Defending national interests always requires coordinated and responsible action,' Prime Minister Bolojan also said.

Minister of National Defence Radu Miruta said on Saturday that, following the drone incident in the Galati area, the General Staff is analysing the repositioning of monitoring and defence systems along the border with Ukraine.

'The war launched by the Russian Federation, right at our border, is as real as it gets. It is a harsh war, with dramatic consequences for human lives and with effects that, unfortunately, are sometimes felt on Romanian territory as well, although we are not part of the conflict. Last night, the residents of Galati experienced such a situation, unfortunately, and I fully understand the fears of people in the area. Following an intense attack on infrastructure in Ukraine in the Reni area, fragments of a Russian-made drone also reached Romanian territory. Based on the engine and characteristics, it is a Geran 2 type drone, a new model, manufactured in Russia, which flew at low altitude for approximately 4 minutes over a distance of 15 km in national airspace,' Miruta wrote on his Facebook page.

Romania's Foreign Affairs Minister Oana Toiu summoned the Russian Federation Ambassador to Bucharest on Saturday at the Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE) headquarters, following the crash overnight in the Galati area of a Russian drone used in attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure.

Russian forces resumed the drone attacks overnight from Friday to Saturday on targets in Ukraine, near the river border with Romania, two Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft of the British Air Force were scrambled, with authorisation to engage the drones and in the Bariera Traian area of the city of Galati drone fragments were reported to have fallen, damaging an outbuilding, as well as an electricity pole, with no casualties recorded, the Ministry of National Defence (MApN) informed.

Specialists at the site of the crash of the Russian drone in the Bariera Traian area of Galati have identified a possible explosive payload and authorities have ordered the evacuation of people within a 200-metre radius of the affected perimeter, the Inspectorate General for Emergency Situations (IGSU) said.

Security forces evacuated 217 people from a residential area on the outskirts of Galati where a Russian drone with a possible explosive payload had crashed, including 11 people with medical conditions or mobility issues who were transported by ambulance. Subsequently, 315 people were evacuated from homes located along the route used by the special transport organised by the authorities to move the drone to an external detonation site outside the city. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Dana Piciu; EN - writing by: Rodica State)