Key facts
- A marine drone self-detonated in Romania's Black Sea port of Constanta on Friday.
- The drone was of a type used in the war in Ukraine.
- The detonation occurred near an oil terminal.
- No casualties were reported.
- The port was evacuated and residents along the coast were warned to take cover.
- Two helicopters were deployed to survey the area for further drones.
A marine drone, resembling the MAGURA V5 model used by Ukraine, self-detonated in Romania's Black Sea port of Constanta on Friday morning, near an oil terminal. Romania's Defense Ministry confirmed the incident, stating there were no casualties. The port, Romania's largest, was evacuated, and residents along the Black Sea coast were advised to seek shelter. Deputy Interior Minister Raed Arafat emphasized that the measures were preventative. Two helicopters surveyed the area for additional drones. This event follows a prior incident where a Russian drone crashed into an apartment building in Galati, injuring two people. Romania, a NATO and EU member, has seen Russian drones repeatedly breach its airspace and mines floating in the Black Sea. Earlier this week, Romania's navy detonated a Russian YaRM-type anti-landing mine. The Russian Embassy in Romania stated the drones were Ukrainian naval unmanned aerial vehicles used to commit terrorist acts. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen commented that Russia's war in Ukraine is increasingly a direct threat to eastern European countries.