Key facts
- A Ukrainian naval drone detonated near an oil terminal in Romania's Black Sea port of Constanta.
- Ukraine stated the drone lost control due to Russian electronic warfare.
- Romania's defense ministry confirmed the detonation occurred around 10:30 a.m. local time.
- No casualties or significant damage were reported.
- The port and nearby beaches were evacuated as a precaution.
- This incident follows previous drone incursions into NATO territory.
A Ukrainian naval drone detonated near an oil terminal in Romania's Black Sea port of Constanta on Friday. Ukraine's navy stated that one of its naval drones lost control due to Russian electronic warfare during a mission and drifted towards the Romanian coast. The detonation occurred around 10:30 a.m. local time, approximately four hours after its presence was noted. Following the incident, the port was evacuated, over 1,000 people were removed from nearby beaches and the Danube Delta as a precaution, and ships and two helicopters surveyed the area for additional drones. Restrictions were lifted later in the day after no further risks were detected. This event follows a prior incident a week earlier where a Russian drone crashed into an apartment building in Galati, injuring two people. Romania, a NATO and EU member, shares a 650-km border with Ukraine and has experienced repeated Russian drone incursions and floating mines in the Black Sea. Earlier in the week, Romania's navy detonated a Russian anti-landing mine. Ukrainian officials stated that the incident underscores the threat posed by Russia's aggression to the entire region. Ukraine has blamed Russian electronic warfare for causing its drones to stray off course into NATO airspace on multiple occasions. Local media reported that following the initial explosion, three more drones had detonated, one near the Port of Constanta and two in Ukrainian waters. Commander Sandu Mateiu told local news outlet Digi24 that the first vessel resembled a Ukrainian MAGURA V5 maritime drone used by Kiev's military intelligence, which can carry hundreds of kilograms of explosives, travel long distances, and often operate in swarms. The Russian Embassy in Romania immediately responded to the incident by stressing that the drones in question are “Ukrainian unmanned maritime vehicles, used by the Kiev regime to commit terrorist acts against civilian ships and to create threats to the safety of navigation in the Black Sea.” The diplomatic mission emphasized that “any attempts to directly or indirectly associate these drones with Russia and to attribute responsibility for the incident are without any basis.” Nevertheless, Romanian President Nicusor Dan has blamed the incident on Moscow, stating it was a “direct consequence” of Russia's military operation against Ukraine.