A maritime drone exploded near an oil terminal in Romania’s strategic Black Sea port of Constanta on Friday after Ukrainian officials claimed Russian electronic warfare systems jammed the vessel, causing it to drift off course. The incident marks the second major drone-related security scare in Romania within a week, heightening concerns over the war in Ukraine spilling into NATO territory.
Romanian authorities confirmed that the sea drone self-destructed near the port without causing casualties or major infrastructure damage. Emergency services swiftly secured the area, while authorities evacuated nearby civilians as a precaution amid fears of additional unmanned threats. More than 1,000 people were reportedly moved from nearby beaches and coastal areas during the security response.
According to Ukrainian officials, the drone had been operating in the Black Sea as part of a military mission when Russian electronic jamming allegedly disrupted its navigation system. Kyiv said the vessel lost control and drifted toward Romanian waters before detonating near Constanta port, one of the region’s most strategically significant energy and grain transit hubs.
Ukraine reportedly informed Romanian authorities after losing contact with the drone, allowing Bucharest to respond before the explosion occurred. Romanian officials later declared the area secure, emphasizing that the drone was not operated by Romania’s military.
The explosion comes only days after a separate drone incident in Romania’s eastern region of Galati, where a Russian drone reportedly crashed into a residential building, injuring two civilians. The back-to-back events have intensified concerns inside NATO about growing risks along the alliance’s eastern flank as the Russia-Ukraine war increasingly affects neighboring countries.
Romania, a NATO member sharing a long border with Ukraine, has repeatedly faced airspace incursions and drone debris since Russia’s invasion began. The latest Constanta explosion is likely to fuel fresh calls for stronger regional air and maritime defenses, especially around critical Black Sea infrastructure.
The Port of Constanta has become strategically important during the war, serving as a key route for Ukrainian grain exports and fuel shipments after repeated disruptions to Black Sea shipping corridors. Any security incident near the port raises wider concerns about regional trade, NATO security, and the risk of accidental escalation between Russia and alliance members.
While Moscow has denied responsibility, Romanian and Ukrainian officials argue the incident underscores the broader dangers posed by Russia’s military campaign and electronic warfare activities in the Black Sea region. European leaders have increasingly warned that instability linked to the Ukraine war is becoming a direct security challenge for countries bordering the conflict.
