Nato Article 4 could be triggered after Russian drone hits block of flats in Romania

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Several people have been hurt after a Russian drone smashed into an apartment block in Romania.

The explosive hit the building in Galati, a city in the east of the country, which is a member of Nato.

The Romanian foreign ministry said the incident was a ‘serious and irresponsible escalation on the part of the Russian Federation’.

Foreign minister Oana Toiu said the incident should trigger Nato Article 4, which gives members powers to call for an emergency meeting.

Fire rages at an apartment block in Galati, Romania, after it was struck by a Russian drone on Friday (Picture: Reuters)

It’s not the first time Russian drones have strayed into Nato territory. In September last year, dozens entered Polish airspace, triggering Nato and the Polish Air Force to scramble fighter jets.

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Nato chief Mark Rutte condemned the latest aggression. He said: ‘Last night showed yet again that the implications of their illegal war of aggression don’t stop at the border.

‘Nato stands ready to defend every inch of allied territory.

‘Russia’s reckless behaviour is a danger to us all.’

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said Russia had ‘crossed another line’.

In a post on X, she said: ‘We stand in full solidarity with Romani and its people. As we continue strengthening our security and deterrence, especially on our eastern border, we will keep increasing the pressure on Russia.’

Firefighters and police assess the damage caused by the drone strike from below (Picture: Reuters)

Romanian brigadier general Maxim said the drones breached defences for a very short time and flew below radar capabilities.

He added the US anti-drone system Merops is operational but hasn’t been introduced into the national defence system.

Two F-16 fighter jets were scrambled following the incident while people living in the area were sent warning messages.

A Nato spokesperson said: ‘Nato will continue to strengthen our defences against all threats, including drones.’

What are Nato articles 4 and 5?

Article 5 is the most well-known part of the Nato treaty.

If it’s invoked, members will take ‘action it deems necessary’ to ‘restore and maintain the security’ of the North Atlantic – which could include the used of armed forces.

Essentially, an attack on one member is an attack on all.

It has only been invoked once in its history.

On September 12, 2001, a day after the Al Qaeda terrorist attacks in New York and Washington DC, members triggered it, meaning Nato members would support the US’s response to the attacks.

Article 4 has been invoked on numerous occasions.

It is launched if a member is concerned for its safety,marking the start of formal emergency consultations.

It was triggered by Turkey in 2002 after the conflict in Iraq and was jointly invoked by Bulgaria, Czechia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Maia Sandu, the president of neighbouring Moldova, said Russia is a ‘danger to all and must be stopped’.

Russia hasn’t commented on the incident.

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