Key facts
- Romania destroyed a marine drone near the Neptun Deep natural gas project.
- The drone was found a few hundred meters from the gas extraction platform.
- Romanian F-16 fighter jets were scrambled to destroy the drone.
- Ukraine confirmed the drone was not of Ukrainian origin.
- President Nicușor Dan blamed Russia for the incident.
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the event as 'hybrid warfare'.
A Romanian F-16 fighter jet destroyed a marine drone near the Neptun Deep gas platform in the Black Sea on August 20, 2026. The uncrewed vessel was spotted a few hundred meters from the platform, where several hundred people were working. Romania's Defense Minister, Radu Miruță, confirmed that the drone was not of Ukrainian origin after consulting with Ukrainian authorities. President Nicușor Dan condemned Russia, accusing Moscow of endangering critical infrastructure and workers, and labeling the incident an "intensification of these types of irresponsible incidents." European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed the condemnation, calling the event "hybrid warfare" and emphasizing European solidarity. NATO allies have previously expressed concerns about protecting the Neptun Deep project, Romania's largest natural gas development, from Russian threats. The project, expected to begin production in 2027, aims to make Romania the EU's largest natural gas producer.