Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned Russia is prepping a 'new massive attack' just hours after a Russian drone hit a Romanian apartment block overnight, injuring two people.Posting on X, Zelensky cautioned that the issue 'concerns both the United States and Europe'.In a video message addressed to his Ukrainian citizens, the president said: 'We have intel indicating that Russia is preparing a new massive attack. Please pay attention to air raid alerts and stay safe. 'Air defense and the continued need to help Ukraine protect its skies are our key priorities. I am grateful to every partner, every leader, and every country that is ready to help and that implements our arrangements in full.'But in a swift rebuff on Friday evening, President Vladimir Putin said Russia 'has never threatened and is not threatening European countries'.The Russian dictator also said it was too early to say the drone that crashed in Romania was Russian – and tried to pin the blame on Ukraine.'Ukrainian drones flew into Poland and Baltic states before. I think we have the same situation here,' he said. Meanwhile Britain has warned Moscow's war is 'spreading' following the attack, with Sir Keir Starmer describing it as a 'serious violation'. After the incident in Galati, western Romania, Putin was declared a 'real threat' to the entirety of Europe by Ukrainian foreign minister Andriy Sybiga.And NATO has vowed to 'defend every inch of allied territory'. Posting on X, Zelensky warned the issue 'concerns both the United States and Europe' Police and forensic investigators examine the location of impact after a Russian drone struck an apartment building in Galati, western Romania A fire burns on the roof of a ten-story block of flats after a drone crashed into the building, causing an explosion and injuring two people, near the border with UkraineThe episode marked the first time in the war that a drone had hit a densely populated area in Romania and caused injuries.It is likely to increase tensions on NATO's eastern flank at a time when Ukraine's allies are worried about Moscow's war on its neighbour spilling over its borders.The drone hit the roof of a ten-storey block of flats and caused an explosion, leading to the evacuation of 70 residents.'Russia's reckless behaviour is a danger to us all,' NATO chief Mark Rutte said after a call with the Romanian president, Nicuşor Dan. 'I affirmed that NATO stands ready to defend every inch of allied territory.''The recent incursion of a Russian drone into the Romanian airspace and its explosion... proved once again that Russian aggression poses a real threat to the Black Sea region and the entire Europe,' Sybiga said in a post on X.European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen joined the chorus of condemnation, saying Russia's 'war of aggression has crossed yet another line'.Romania called the strike a 'grave and irresponsible escalation'.'Last night showed yet again that the implications of their illegal war of aggression don't stop at the border,' Rutte wrote on X.'We will continue to strengthen our deterrence and defence at home and continue our support for Ukraine as they defend against Russia's aggression,' he added.Romania, which shares a 650km (400 mile) land border with Ukraine, has experienced Russian drones breaching its airspace 28 times since Moscow began attacking Kyiv's ports across the Danube river, Romania's defence ministry said. First responders on the scene after the drone crashed into a residential building in GalatiThe ministry said it had recovered drone fragments that fell in Romania 47 times.Romanian foreign minister Oana Toiu said: 'Romania will take the necessary diplomatic measures in response to this serious violation of international law and its airspace.'Romania has informed the Allies and the NATO Secretary General of the circumstances and has requested measures to accelerate the transfer of anti-drone capabilities to Romania.'She announced in a television interview that the drone crash 'falls into the category of incidents that justify the use of instruments' like NATO's Article 4. The defence ministry said it scrambled two F-16 fighter jets and a military helicopter to monitor the attack, adding the pilots were authorised to shoot down any drones. The residents of border counties Braila, Galati and Tulcea were warned to take cover.Romanian law allows it to shoot down drones during peacetime if lives or property are at risk but it has not yet done so.Ukrainian drones have strayed into Baltic countries' airspace in recent weeks, sowing confusion and raising tensions with Russia.In Friday's incident, a fire broke out in a tenth floor apartment after the drone struck the building's roof and exploded.Two people were receiving medical treatment on-site.Zelensky urged his European allies to increase sanctions on Russia in the wake of the incident.'We count on the European Union's new sanctions measures against Russia to be truly strong and to make Russia feel that its strikes mean significant losses for Russia itself,' he said on X.State news agency Agerpres cited Galati's emergency response agency as saying a woman and her child had been taken to hospital with minor injuries while two others had been treated on site for panic attacks.The drone's entire explosive payload detonated, and the fire was extinguished, the emergency agency said.The defence ministry said radar lost contact with the drone as it entered Galati as it was flying very low to the ground.Deputy interior minister Raed Arafat, who is in charge of the emergency response agency, told private broadcaster Digi24 the drone affected two building stairwells and damaged five cars.NATO spokesman Allison Hart said: 'We condemn Russia's recklessness, and NATO will continue to strengthen our defences against all threats, including drones.'French Minister for European Affairs Benjamin Haddad condemned the incident and said Russia posed a threat to European security.'Russia has not only attacked Ukraine, but also threatened the European security architecture. A Russian drone crashed in Romania again last night, posing a threat through its interference,' Haddad told French radio RMC.'I would also like to point out that we have French troops stationed in Romania as part of NATO's reassurance operations, specifically to demonstrate our support for the sovereignty of our partners in Europe,' he added.Join the discussionShould NATO take tougher action after a Russian drone injured civilians in Romania?What's your view?
Zelensky warns of Russia's 'new massive attack' after Romania strike
Posting on X, Zelensky warned the issue 'concerns both the United States and Europe'.










