Key facts
- Romania requested Ukraine program naval drones to self-destruct near its territorial waters.
- A Ukrainian drone exploded in Romania's Black Sea Port of Constanta on June 5.
- Kyiv stated Russian electronic interference caused the drone to deviate.
- Romania is investigating the incident and has posed questions to Ukraine.
- Drones have previously strayed into NATO territory during attacks on Russia.
Romania's Defense Minister Radu Miruta has proposed that Ukraine program its naval drones to self-destruct if they drift toward Romanian territorial waters, aiming to prevent future incidents. The suggestion comes after a Ukrainian drone exploded in the Romanian Black Sea Port of Constanta on June 5, with Kyiv attributing the event to Russian electronic interference.
Miruta stated that Ukrainian drones should be programmed to detonate 12 nautical miles (22 kilometers) away from Romania's territorial waters to ensure safety. He noted that an investigation into the Constanta incident is ongoing, and Bucharest has submitted questions to Kyiv for clarification, including details on when control of the drone was lost and its explosive payload.
This incident follows similar cases where Ukrainian aerial and naval drones have strayed into the territory of other NATO member states, such as Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Greece, during strikes against Russia. While Kyiv has apologized for such occurrences, it points to Russia's aggression as the primary cause. Notably, Russian drones have also repeatedly crashed in NATO countries, including a Shahed-type drone that hit a residential building in Galati, Romania, on May 29, injuring two people.