Zelenskyy: Ukraine Tries to Intercept All Russian Drones Flying to Europe; May 29 Galați Incident
President Zelenskyy stated Ukraine intercepts Russian drones flying to Europe, viewing it as Russian political pressure. The May 29 incident in Galați, Romania, where a drone hit a building, led to the closure of Russia's Consulate General in Constanța.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine attempts to intercept all Russian drones flying towards European countries. He views such incidents, like the drone collision with an apartment building in Galați, Romania, on May 29, as political pressure from Russia on Ukraine's partners to deter them from assisting Kyiv.
Zelenskyy noted that Russia is testing NATO countries' reactions and their air defenses. He recalled incidents on the Romanian border and a case in autumn 2025 when over 20 drones flew deep into Polish territory. Ukraine transmits information to partners if it cannot intercept drones, assisting Romania, Moldova, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
Following the May 29 incident, where a Russian drone crashed into the roof of a residential high-rise in Galați, causing a fire and injuring two residents, Romania closed the Russian Federation's Consulate General in Constanța and expelled the consul. This was the most serious incident involving Russian drones entering Romanian and Moldovan territory.