Romanian military divers destroyed two Russian-made Gerbera-type drones found drifting near the Neptun Deep offshore gas project in the Black Sea. Ukraine confirmed the drones did not belong to its forces.
The incident highlights ongoing security risks in the Black Sea region due to the Russia-Ukraine war, particularly concerning critical energy infrastructure vital for European energy security.
Romanian military divers destroyed two Russian-made Gerbera-type drones found drifting in the Black Sea near the Neptun Deep offshore gas project. The drones were discovered by a civilian vessel working in the area. Following the discovery, Romanian authorities dispatched a Coast Guard vessel and had explosive ordnance disposal divers destroy them via controlled detonation. Defense Minister Radu Miruta stated that Ukraine confirmed the systems did not belong to them. The Gerbera is a Russian-designed drone. Romania, a NATO member, has previously reported Russian drone incursions into its territory. The Neptun Deep project is slated to begin production in 2027, positioning Romania as the EU's largest gas producer.