President Nicusor Dan on Friday convened a meeting of the Supreme Council of National Defence to discuss the implications of the most serious incident affecting national territory since the beginning of the war of aggression launched by the Russian Federation against Ukraine.

'I have convened the meeting of the Supreme Council of National Defence today to discuss the implications of the most serious incident affecting national territory since the beginning of the war of aggression launched by the Russian Federation against Ukraine. We will take proportionate measures in relation to the Russian Federation. My thoughts are, first and foremost, with the injured, with their families, and with the residents who experienced terrifying moments in their own homes. I thank them for the calm they showed in responding to this situation and assure them of the full support of the Romanian state,' the President wrote on his Facebook page.

According to him, 'the unprecedented nature of the event requires a firm, coordinated and proportionate response - at national, allied and international level.'

'I state with full firmness that full responsibility for this incident lies with the Russian Federation. What happened today in Galati is a direct consequence of the war of aggression unleashed by Russia against Ukraine, of the irresponsible and indiscriminate way in which Moscow operates these weapons systems in the immediate vicinity of NATO borders, as well as of its systematic disregard for international law. There is no ambiguity regarding the author and cause of this aggression,' the head of state stressed.

Nicusor Dan emphasised that the Romanian Armed Forces acted in accordance with established procedures for such situations, having clear orders to shoot down the drone as soon as conditions allowed for such an operation without risking casualties or damage on the ground.

'After army radar detected the drone upon entering national airspace, two Romanian Air Force F-16 aircraft and an IAR-330 SOCAT helicopter tracked it within national airspace. The decision not to engage the target was taken because conditions were not met to allow its destruction without significantly endangering civilian safety,' the President said.

He added that Romania's response 'is firm and multi-layered.'

'I have ordered and implemented the following measures, some of which have already been carried out:

I informed all NATO allies and European Union partners about the incident. Communication with allied military structures is ongoing in real time.

Romania has formally requested that allies deploy additional anti-drone capabilities on national territory, to strengthen our defence and that of the Eastern Flank of the Alliance, in accordance with SACEUR instructions.

Romania will officially inform the United Nations Security Council about this brutal and repeated violation of international law by the Russian Federation,' the President of Romania stated. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Andreea Rotaru; EN - writing by: Cristina Zaharia)