Medvedev’s Warning Following Drone Strike in Romania
In a notable escalation of tensions, Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russia’s Security Council and a close associate of President Vladimir Putin, issued a stark warning to the European Union on Friday. This came in the wake of a significant security breach within NATO that involved a suspected Russian drone striking an apartment building in Galați, Romania.
With a pronounced sense of urgency, Medvedev told EU citizens to prepare for further incidents, stating that “the peaceful sleep is over.” This statement followed a wave of condemnation surrounding the drone strike.
“Citizens of EU countries, you should realize your authorities have unilaterally entered into a war with Russia,” he expressed in a post on the social platform X. “So be vigilant and don’t be surprised by anything. The peaceful sleep is over. But you know who to ask why.”
This drone crash, marking the first such incident in a densely populated area of a NATO member since the onset of the Ukraine invasion, has significantly heightened tensions on Europe’s eastern borders.
Following the unexpected strike, a Geran-2 drone reportedly intruded into Romanian airspace for about four minutes before hitting the roof of a ten-story building, injuring a woman and a child. In an immediate response, Romanian officials announced the closure of the Russian Consulate General in Constanța.
Medvedev, unfazed by the backlash, released a statement filled with strong language, ridiculing European leaders. He argued that these nations had surrendered their right to voice complaints by supplying arms, components, and intelligence to Ukraine, effectively engaging in hostilities against Russia.
The Russian official insisted that since European nations are now part of the conflict, their populations should expect the repercussions of living in a war environment. He warned that drone incursions would likely persist, especially near areas associated with military supply routes heading to Ukraine.
In related developments, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed President Putin was fully updated on the situation. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Ministry representative Maria Zakharova rejected the accusations, describing them as unfounded while also threatening a retaliatory response to Romania’s closure of the consulate.
The incident has brought a unified response from Western leaders, with NATO and EU officials labeling the strike as a reckless escalation. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte strongly criticized Moscow’s actions, deeming them a threat to regional stability and reaffirming the alliance’s commitment to defend member states.
Additionally, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned Russia’s “war of aggression” for crossing yet another boundary and vowed to impose stricter sanctions while increasing defensive actions.
As Romanian officials noted the challenges of intercepting low-flying drones in urban environments, Bucharest has formally asked NATO allies for the deployment of advanced low-altitude radar systems and interceptor drones to bolster the security of its 650-kilometer border with Ukraine.
