A Russian drone struck a residential building in the Romanian city of Galati early Friday, causing a fire and leaving residents in fear for their safety. The attack, which occurred just hours after a warning alert, saw the drone slam into the apartment block, punching a jagged hole in the roof and damaging flats below.

Galati, a city in eastern Romania, is situated near the Ukrainian border, making it increasingly vulnerable to the spillover effects of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This incident underscores the growing proximity of the conflict for Romania, a member of both NATO and the European Union.

Residents have begun returning to assess the damage, describing the event as "terrifying." One resident, Costel Patrichi, who is in charge of the building, noted that the drone hit the lift shaft, which absorbed much of the blast. He believes that if the drone had struck the side of the building, it could have caused significantly more destruction.

"We are protected by Nato, not to worry. But look where we are now!" Patrichi expressed frustration, echoing the sentiments of many residents concerned about Romania's air force's inability to intercept the drone before it reached a populated area. Pilots reportedly had too little time to react, making interception too risky.

The incident has instilled a deep sense of unease among the city's inhabitants. "Now I'm afraid. If I go back to my flat tonight, I will sleep with fear. Because this could happen again," Patrichi admitted, drawing parallels to the nightly fears experienced by Ukrainians facing regular drone attacks on their homes.

This is not the first instance of drones impacting NATO territory. Previously, a Ukrainian drone targeting northern Russia was shot down by a Romanian fighter jet while in Estonian airspace as part of NATO's rapid response force. However, the circumstances in Galati highlight the challenges of intercepting low-flying threats over built-up areas.

While NATO and the EU have condemned the attack, the incident has left residents questioning their safety and the effectiveness of air defenses in preventing such strikes on civilian infrastructure. The damage, though substantial, could have been far worse, a fact that offers little comfort to those now living with the immediate threat of aerial attacks.

The long-term implications for Romania's security and its role within NATO are yet to be fully assessed. However, the direct impact on Galati's residents serves as a stark reminder that the war in Ukraine poses a tangible and immediate danger to neighboring countries.