Ukrainian Sea Drone Explodes in Romanian Black Sea Port

A Ukrainian sea drone exploded on Friday in Romania’s Black Sea port of Constanța, officials have confirmed, though no injuries were recorded in the incident.

 

Romania’s defence ministry said the device, which was “of the type used in the war in Ukraine” and not part of its military inventory, self-destructed at about 10:30 a.m. local time without causing casualties.

 

The Ukrainian navy said the drone was one of its unmanned surface vessels, explaining that it lost control after coming under Russian electronic warfare interference.

 

“While carrying out missions in the Black Sea operational area, one of the Ukrainian Navy’s unmanned surface vessels came under the influence of the enemy’s electronic warfare systems, lost control, and ended up near the coast of Romania,” the Ukrainian navy said.

 

Ukraine’s foreign ministry also said it had informed Romanian authorities after the drones were lost due to Russian jamming, adding that coordination helped prevent harm to civilians.

 

Romanian officials said a total of four Ukrainian drones were affected, with one exploding inside the Constanța port area under controlled supervision, another detonating offshore, and two others blowing up further out at sea.

 

President Nicușor Dan described the incident as a “significant security event”, linking it to Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.

 

He said the development highlights the wider regional impact of the conflict and the need for heightened vigilance along NATO’s eastern border.

 

The European Commission also reacted, with President Ursula von der Leyen saying the incident demonstrates how Russia’s war in Ukraine is increasingly becoming a direct threat to neighbouring countries.

 

NATO confirmed it is monitoring the situation closely and remains in coordination with Romanian authorities.

 

Romanian emergency officials evacuated more than 1,000 people from the coastal area and issued alerts within a one-kilometre radius of the port as a precaution.

 

Authorities later confirmed that no injuries were recorded, describing the measures as preventive.

 

The incident comes amid rising regional tensions, following previous drone-related incidents near Romania’s border with Ukraine since the start of the war in 2022.