President Nicusor Dan strongly condemned Russia's 'irresponsible behaviour' and added that incidents such as the drone crash in Galati show a disregard for international law and endanger the safety of Romanian citizens, a NATO member state.

'Citizens must be safe and this objective remains our absolute priority. The responsible institutions acted properly and in coordination, managing to minimise risks through the controlled detonation of fragments from the Russian drone. At the same time, we cannot ignore the reality of a war at our borders, which generates challenges and vulnerabilities that must be treated with the utmost seriousness. I strongly condemn Russia's irresponsible behaviour. Such incidents, like the drone that crashed last night in Galati, demonstrate a lack of respect for international law and endanger the safety of Romanian citizens, a NATO member state. Romania is not part of this conflict. And yet, its consequences are felt on our streets, in households and in the citizens' lives. This is the first incident in which Romanian property has been effectively damaged, a threshold we view with the utmost seriousness,' President Nicusor Dan said, according to a press release.

He added that the support provided to Ukraine from the very first day of the war triggered by Russia was and remains the right decision, 'in agreement with our values and interests,' and that this must be firmly reaffirmed at all levels of the state to dispel any doubts among some citizens.

'As a NATO and European Union member state, Romania actively contributes to efforts to strengthen collective security. Last night's incident, however, underscores the need to accelerate the Army's endowment and modernisation programmes, so that we can respond adequately to current risks. The SAFE [Security Action for Europe] procurement plan is essential. I thank everyone involved, personnel from the MAI [Ministry of Internal Affairs], the MApN [Ministry of National Defence] and the SRI [Romanian Intelligence Service], for their professional intervention, the safe evacuation of citizens and the responsible management of the entire situation,' the head of state concluded.

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 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 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)