Fire atop a building in Galatia in eastern Romania after a Russian drone strike, May 29, 2026

EA on WION: Worried Kremlin Threatens to Obliterate Kyiv

Thursday’s Coverage: UK Spy Chief — Almost 500,000 Russians Killed In Invasion

UPDATE 1229 GMT:

President Nicușor Dan has declared the Russian consul in the seaside city of Constanța in southeast Romania “a persona non grata”.

The consul is expected to leave the country, with the consulate shut down.

Russia said it will “respond soon”.

UPDATE 1038 GMT:

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has responded to Russia’s drone strike on an apartment block in Romania:

We are ready to support Romania in whatever way is necessary under these circumstances. 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. That would be fair.

UPDATE 0847 GMT:

Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov asked the Cabinet in February to freeze planned spending to cover the rising cost of the invasion of Ukraine.

Sources told the Financial Times that the Kremlin is contemplate deep budget cuts in forthcoming years.

Russia is spending $28 billion more on the invasion this year than originally planned. A total of 16.84 trillion rubles ($238 billion) has been allocated to the military and security sectors, but this is not sufficient.

Russia planned to end 2026 with a budget deficit of 3.8 trillion rubles ($53.5 billion). However, in just the first four months of 2026, the shortfall reached 5.9 trillion rubles ($83.1 billion). The deficit, amounting to 2.5% of GDP, is the largest since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

UPDATE 0821 GMT:

After a call with Romanian President Nicosur Dan, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said:

Russia’s reckless behaviour is a danger to us all. They continue to target civilians and civilian infrastructure across Ukraine. And last night showed yet again that the implications of their illegal war of aggression don’t stop at the border.

Russia’s war needs to end, as does Russia’s disregard for civilian safety. For our part, we will continue to strengthen our deterrence and defense at home and continue our support for Ukraine as they defend against Russia’s aggression.

UPDATE 0724 GMT:

During a visit by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday, Sweden pledged 36 Gripen fighter jets in a military support package.

Kyiv will allocate €2.5 billion euros ($2.91 billion) from the European Union’s Ukraine Support Loan to procure up to 20 Gripens, while Sweden will donate 16 Gripen.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated said delivery of 16 Gripen C/D fighter jets will begin in early 2027 and of 20 Gripen E/F aircraft from 2030. Ukraine has already started aircraft maintenance and pilot training.

The military support package includes long-range weapons, ammunition, and electronic warfare systems. Almost $400 million will go towards drone production.

UPDATE 0718 GMT:

Ukraine’s air defenses downed 217 of 232 drones launched by Russia overnight. The other UAVs and a ballistic missile struck 14 locations.

A strike on the Turkish-owned cargo ship ANT, sailing from the port of Odesa on the Black Sea, set a fire and injured two crew members.

ORIGINAL ENTRY: Russian drone, part of an overnight attack on Ukraine, has crashed into an apartment block in eastern Romania.

The drone struck the roof of the building in Galati and started a fire. Two people sustained cuts that required medical treatment, and 70 were evacuated.

The Romanian military scrambled two F-16 fighter jets and a helicopter to engage targets. Alert messages were sent to residents of the affected areas.

Galați, on the Danube River, is east of borders with Moldova and Ukraine.

The Romanian Foreign Minstry condemned the “grave and irresponsible escalation” by Russia. It said Bucharest will take necessary diplomatic measures over the “serious breach of international law” with the violation of Romania’s airspace.

Romania has asked NATO to accelerate the transfer of anti-drone systems. A NATO spokesperson, condemning “Russia’s recklessness”, said the alliance will strengthen defenses against all threats, including drones.

Romania: “Firm, Coordinated, and Appropriate Response”

Convening a Defense Council meeting, Romanian President Nicosur Dan said:

The unprecedented nature of the event demands a firm, coordinated and appropriate response at the national, allied and international levels.

I declare, with the utmost firmness, that full responsibility for this incident lies with the Russian Federation.

What happened today in Galați is the direct consequence of Russia’s war of aggression unleashed against Ukraine, the irresponsible and indiscriminate manner in which Moscow operates these weapon systems in the immediate vicinity of NATO borders, as well as the systematic disregard for international law.

There is no ambiguity regarding the perpetrator or the cause of this aggression.

Dan said Romanian armed forces tracked the drone, in accordance with procedures, but the decision was taken “not to engage the target”.

Defense Minister Radu Miruță added that the drone was in Romanian airspace for four minutes, and was immediately spotted on a newly installed air defense radar. However, shooting down the UAV was deemed too great a risk.

As well as consulting with NATO, Bucharest has informed the EU and formally alerted the UN Security Council.

Romania and France have summoned Russian Ambassadors. French Minister Benjamin Haddad said, “Russia has not only attacked Ukraine, but also threatened the European security architecture.”

European Council President Ursula von der Leyen said: