A marine drone detonated in Romania’s Port of Constanta on Friday morning. The explosion occurred at approximately 10:28 local time near berths 77 and 78, close to the headquarters of the Romanian Agency for the Rescue of Human Life at Sea (ARSVOM). The location lies only a few hundred metres from the port’s oil terminal facilities.
The object was first spotted at around 05:00 local time in the vicinity of the port. Romanian security services, Coast Guard units and military personnel isolated the area while specialists assessed the threat. The drone later exploded while authorities were conducting safety procedures. No casualties were reported.
Romania activated its Red Intervention Plan and deployed emergency responders, firefighters, medical teams, CBRN specialists, police units, border police vessels and military assets. Helicopters conducted reconnaissance flights along the coast while authorities searched for additional suspicious objects in the area.
The Romanian Ministry of National Defence stated that the craft was a maritime drone “of the type used in the war in Ukraine.” Officials stressed that it did not belong to the Romanian armed forces and was not connected to any military exercise. Prosecutors in Constanta have opened an investigation into the incident.
Following the explosion, the Ukrainian Navy stated that the unmanned surface vessel had lost control after being affected by Russian electronic warfare systems. According to the statement, the drone subsequently drifted across the Black Sea and eventually reached the Romanian coast.
The Ukrainian Navy added that it had provided the Romanian Navy with relevant information about the vessel in advance in an effort to minimise risks to civilians and support maritime safety measures.
