Russian Geran-2 (Shahed) Drone Strikes Galati Residential Block

In the early hours of 28 May 2026, a Russian attack drone detonated on a residential tower block on Bulevardul Brăilei in the Mazepa 1 district of Galați, eastern Romania, around 16 to 19 km from the Ukrainian border. According to Romania's Ministry of National Defence (MApN), the drone struck the upper part of a 10-storey building at roughly 01:50 local time, with its full explosive payload detonating on impact. Digi24 reported that the blast destroyed a 10th-floor apartment and started a fire, while the building's structure remained sound.

Two civilians were lightly injured and treated, and around 70 residents were evacuated as a precaution, MApN said. The drone was part of a large Russian salvo launched from Crimea against Ukrainian Danube ports such as Reni and Chilia; Romanian radar tracked it crossing into national airspace and following it for about four minutes before impact. Two F-16 fighters and a helicopter were scrambled but did not engage over the populated urban area, citing the risk to civilians.

Forensic specialists from MApN and the SRI intelligence service identified the weapon as a Russian-built Geran-2, the Cyrillic-rebadged Shahed-136 type. As reported by Euromaidan Press, the state technical report, released on 31 May 2026 by President Nicușor Dan, cited a recovered fragment bearing the inscription 'ГЕРАНЬ-2' and engine, navigation and electronic components matching previously identified Geran-2 munitions. Romania summoned the Russian ambassador and pressed NATO allies for additional anti-drone defences.

Romanian authorities have confirmed through forensic analysis that the munition was a Russian-made Geran-2, making this the most serious of the 2026 Romanian incidents: the first to damage a populated urban area and injure civilians on NATO territory. Romanian military officials characterise the impact as spillover and drift from a strike on Ukraine rather than deliberate targeting, while Ukrainian and some European voices frame it as testing NATO's resolve; the physical and radar evidence supports spillover. It fits a wider pattern of drone incursions alongside earlier Galați debris and Chilia Veche events. The entry may be updated as further public information emerges.