Romanian MoD confirms Russian Geran-2 kamikaze drone with 30 kg warhead struck apartment block in Galați
Romania's Ministry of National Defence has concluded its technical investigation into the 29 May drone crash in Galați, identifying the wreckage as a Russian-made Geran-2 kamikaze drone carrying approximately 30 kg of high explosives.
The incident
In the early hours of 29 May 2026, at approximately 02:00 local time, an unmanned aerial system crashed into a residential building in the STIREX area of Galați, Romania. The impact occurred at Str. Brăilei nr. 50, bl. BR1B, sc. 2, et. 10, apt. 80. The drone's high-explosive warhead detonated on impact.
Technical findings
A specialised team from the Ministry of National Defence (MApN) conducted the technical investigation and released its conclusions on Sunday, 31 May. The wreckage was identified as a Geran-2 (ГЕРАНЬ 2) model, of Russian manufacture, with partially legible Cyrillic inscriptions. The airframe and wings were constructed from carbon-fibre composite. Propulsion was provided by an air-cooled, two-stroke, four-piston boxer-type thermal engine driving a propeller. Electronic components included a KOMETA GNSS navigation system capable of simultaneous multi-constellation satellite positioning, and an electronic servomotor for trajectory control. The warhead was a High-Explosive (HE) type, weighing approximately 30 kg TNT equivalent, which detonated upon impact.
The samples identified at the scene are structurally and functionally identical to those recovered and attributed to the Russian Federation in previous incidents involving Geran-2 UAS.
Flight path and detection
The drone was initially detected at 01:46 in Ukrainian airspace, approximately 19 kilometres from Romania's national border, about 10 kilometres east of the town of Reni. It crossed into Romanian territory before striking the apartment block in Galați roughly 14 minutes later.
Pattern of border incursions
The MApN report linked this incident to a series of earlier drone intrusions attributed to Russia along Romania's border regions. Previous Geran-2 debris recoveries include: Chilia Veche, Tulcea (17 January 2025); Ceatalchioi, Tulcea (17 January 2025); Galați, Galați (28 February 2025); Grindu, Tulcea (13 February 2025); Galați, Galați (25 April 2026); and Luncavița, Tulcea (26 April 2026).
- Geran-2 debris recovered in Chilia Veche, Tulcea county.
- Geran-2 debris recovered in Ceatalchioi, Tulcea county.
- Geran-2 debris recovered in Grindu, Tulcea county.
- Geran-2 debris recovered in Galați, Galați county.
- Geran-2 debris recovered in Galați, Galați county.
- Geran-2 debris recovered in Luncavița, Tulcea county.
- Drone detected in Ukrainian airspace, 19 km from Romanian border near Reni.
- Geran-2 kamikaze drone strikes apartment block in Galați; 30 kg HE warhead detonates.
- MApN releases technical investigation conclusions confirming Russian Geran-2 drone.
Official reactions
President Nicușor Dan had earlier announced that the drone was a Russian-made Geran-2, presenting images of the wreckage. On the same Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky offered an explanation for why some drones cross into neighbouring countries' airspace, referencing the Galați strike.
