Medvedev: EU Has Entered War With Russia After Romania Hit
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has issued a stark warning that the European Union has “unilaterally entered into a war with Russia,” following a Russian drone strike on a residential apartment building in the Romanian city of Galati. The attack, which injured two people and forced the evacuation of approximately 70 residents, marks one of the most serious direct confrontations between Russia and a NATO member since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022.
The Incident
On the night of May 28-29, a Russian Geran-2 drone — the Russian version of Iran’s Shahed-136 — crashed onto the roof of a 10-story apartment building in Galati, a city near Romania’s border with Ukraine and Moldova. According to Deutsche Welle, the drone was detected by radar and tracked as it flew approximately 10 kilometers over Romanian territory before impact. The resulting explosion triggered a fire on the building’s roof.
Romania’s Defense Ministry confirmed the drone’s origin, describing the incident as “a grave and irresponsible escalation from the Russian Federation.” A 53-year-old woman and her 14-year-old son sustained minor burns and were hospitalized in stable condition. Two additional individuals were treated at the scene for panic attacks.
Medvedev’s Warning
Dmitry Medvedev, now Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council, escalated tensions dramatically by posting on social media platform X: “Citizens of EU countries. You should realise your authorities have unilaterally entered into a war with Russia. So be vigilant and don’t be surprised by anything. The peaceful sleep is over. But you know who to ask why!”
Speaking further on the Russian platform Max, Medvedev told EU countries to “shut up” on the matter, accusing European nations of supplying weapons, components, and intelligence used in attacks on Russian territory. “They had better be prepared — this will continue to happen. There is a war going on!” he warned, as reported by Reuters.
Competing Narratives Over Drone Attribution
While Romania and its allies have unequivocally blamed Russia, President Vladimir Putin questioned the drone’s origin during a press conference in Astana, Kazakhstan. “Who in Romania says that this is a Russian drone?” Putin asked, as reported by The Moscow Times. “No one can say what the origin of this or that drone is until an examination has been carried out.”
Putin suggested the drone could have been Ukrainian, drawing parallels to recent incidents in Finland and the Baltic states where Ukrainian drones attacking Russia strayed into NATO territory. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called the accusations “unsubstantiated” and lacking evidence.
Diplomatic Fallout
Romania responded swiftly and decisively. President Nicusor Dan ordered the closure of the Russian consulate in the Black Sea port city of Constanta and declared the Russian Consul General persona non grata. Romania also summoned the Russian ambassador in Bucharest and convened the Supreme Defense Council, according to Euronews.
Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu stated that the incident “belongs to the category of events that justify the use of tools such as NATO Article 4,” which allows member states to call for formal consultations when they perceive a threat to their security. Romania has also requested accelerated transfer of anti-drone capabilities from NATO allies.
NATO and EU Response
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte condemned the incident, vowing that the alliance “stands ready to defend every inch of allied territory.” He called Russia’s behavior “a danger to us all” and said NATO would continue to enhance its readiness to deter and defend against drone threats, as Defense News reported.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Russia had “crossed yet another line,” expressing full solidarity with Romania. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for a strong NATO presence on the eastern flank, while France and Austria both summoned their respective Russian ambassadors. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer branded the incident a “serious violation of NATO airspace.”
A Second Drone Found
In a separate development, authorities discovered a second drone without an explosive charge near Baia Mare in northwestern Romania. The drone, with a wingspan of approximately 3 meters, is under investigation to determine its origin.
Broader Implications
The Galati strike represents the first time a Russian drone has hit a densely populated residential area in a NATO country, causing injuries during the Ukraine war. Romania has reported 28 Russian drone incursions into its airspace since 2022. The incident comes amid heightened global tensions, including the ongoing US-Iran conflict and a major Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
As Russia vowed a “swift response” to Romania’s closure of its consulate, the situation threatens to further destabilize an already volatile international security environment. The question now is whether NATO will invoke Article 4 — a step that would mark a significant political escalation, even if it does not trigger military action.