World

France to demand explanation from Russian envoy over Romania drone incident

By Reuters Reuters
Romanian law enforcement officers work on the site of an explosion at a residential block of flats following a drone hit close to the border with Ukraine, in Galati, Romania, May 29, 2026. Inquam Photos/George Calin via REUTERS
Romanian law enforcement officers work on the site of an explosion at a residential block of flats following a drone hit close to the border with Ukraine, in Galati, Romania, May 29, 2026. Inquam Photos/George Calin via REUTERS INQUAM PHOTOS/George Calin Reuters

PARIS - France will ask Russia's ambassador to explain what happened when he fulfills a summons after a drone struck an apartment building in Romania, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Friday, calling the incident irresponsible.

Barrot had already summoned the Russian envoy earlier this week following air strikes that targeted civilians in Ukraine last weekend.

"We have an irresponsible act involving a drone, and it is not the first time. On several occasions, Russian drones and other aircraft have strayed into the airspace of the European Union and NATO," Barrot told France Inter radio.

France is the lead NATO nation in Romania, with about 1,500 troops deployed there as part of the alliance's defence posture.

Barrot said discussions would take place in the coming days with Romania and NATO to assess the incident.

(Reporting by Dominique Vidalon and John Irish; Editing by Tomasz Janowski and Makini Brice)

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect.

This story was originally published May 29, 2026 at 3:11 AM.

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