Romanian drone crash sparks diplomatic row as Putin demands wreckage

A Russian drone crashed into a residential building in Galati, Romania, injuring two people. Romanian President Nicolae Ciucă said the unmanned aircraft was a Russian Geran‑2 model that arrived as part of a swarm of 43 drones, of which only one reached Romanian territory.

President Vladimir Putin responded, stating that Russia is ready to carry out an “objective investigation” if the drone debris is handed over, and he hinted the craft might have been Ukrainian. He also warned that any area perceived as a threat to Russia, such as Kaliningrad, would be considered a legitimate target. In parallel, Moscow threatened an immediate response to Bucharest’s decision to expel the Russian consul in Constanța and to close Russia’s consulate there, while reaffirming readiness to continue peace talks on the Ukraine conflict.