CONSTANTA — A maritime drone self-detonated on Friday at approximately 10:30 a.m. in the Black Sea port of Constanta. The drone exploded near an oil terminal and caused no casualties.
Authorities evacuated the port and issued text message alerts to coastal residents. The Romanian Intelligence Service, coast guard, and Defense Ministry secured and isolated the port area prior to the explosion. Two helicopters were deployed to survey the area for additional drones. Deputy Interior Minister Raed Arafat said, "We are not panicking. These are preventive measures. If there are other drones, we want to make sure there is not another explosion in an area where people are not evacuated."
The Defense Ministry stated the drone was not part of national military equipment and was not involved in recent regional exercises. Romanian President Nicusor Dan said, "The incident is a direct consequence of the war of aggression unleashed by Russia against Ukraine." Dan added, "With a military conflict on the border, it is obvious that the security environment we are in is a sensitive one, which is why we will maintain a high level of vigilance."
Romania shares a 650-kilometer border with Ukraine. The Defense Ministry has reported 28 airspace incursions by Russian drones since attacks on Ukrainian Danube ports began. Fragments from Ukrainian drones have landed on Romanian territory.
Romanian forces destroyed another maritime drone in the Black Sea on the preceding Wednesday. The Romanian navy has neutralized nine of 156 sea mines in the Black Sea basin since the start of the war.