Russia closes Romanian consulate in St Petersburg and expels interim head after drone incident retaliation
Russia on Thursday announced the closure of Romania's consulate in Saint Petersburg and declared its interim head persona non grata, a direct response to Bucharest's earlier decision to shutter the Russian consulate in Constanța after a Russian drone struck an apartment block in Galați and injured two people.
Drone strike in Galați
A Russian Geran-2 drone crashed into a residential building in the Romanian city of Galați during the night of 29 May 2026, triggering an explosion and fire. The impact on the 10-story block injured two Romanian citizens and forced the evacuation of approximately 70 residents. Romania's defense ministry confirmed the drone's Russian origin and its full payload detonated on impact.
Two Romanian citizens were injured and the entire responsibility for this incident falls on Russia, a country that has been waging a war of aggression for over four years against Ukraine.
Romania's diplomatic response
Hours after the incident, President Nicușor Dan announced that the Romanian Supreme Council of National Defense had decided to declare the Russian consul general in Constanța persona non grata and to close the consulate. Russia's ambassador in Bucharest was summoned to the foreign ministry to be informed of the measures. The Romanian foreign ministry described the drone crash as a serious violation of national security and sovereignty.
Russia retaliates
On 25 June, Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zaharova summoned Romania's ambassador in Moscow, Cristian Istrate, to present what she called "retaliatory measures." Moscow declared the interim head of the Romanian consulate in Saint Petersburg persona non grata, giving him 72 hours to leave Russia, and announced the consulate would cease operations within 30 days, with 24 July as the final day. The move mirrors Romania's earlier closure of the Russian consulate in Constanța.
The unfriendly actions of the Romanian authorities will certainly not go unanswered. Specific measures will be announced at the appropriate time.
Reaction in Bucharest
Romania's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Russian decision was predictable. In a statement, the ministry reiterated that Moscow's move was a direct response to the 29 May measures taken after the drone strike in Galați, an incident that caused injuries and material damage. The ministry had earlier warned that a Russian reaction was anticipated.
- Russian Geran-2 drone hits apartment block in Galați; two injured, 70 evacuated.
- Romania declares Russian consul in Constanța persona non grata and orders consulate closed.
- Russia closes Romanian consulate in Saint Petersburg and expels interim head, with closure by 24 July.
