A Ukrainian maritime drone exploded in the Romanian port of Constanta on Friday morning, prompting a major emergency response and an evacuation of the area.
The unmanned vessel was discovered several hundred meters from the oil terminal area. It was reportedly carrying explosives and became stuck in an anti-pollution barrier before detonating. 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 vessel self-detonated around 10:30 AM without causing casualties. The area had been secured and isolated by Romanian authorities while the drone was being assessed.
The ministry noted that the drone did not belong to the Romanian military and had not been involved in recent Black Sea exercises, describing it as “of the type used in the war in Ukraine.”
Ukrainian authorities confirmed that the drone belongs to the Ukrainian navy, stating that the device had lost control and drifted toward the Romanian port. Reports indicate that following the initial explosion, three additional drones detonated: one near the Port of Constanta and two in Ukrainian waters.
Commander Sandu Mateiu stated that the first vessel resembled a Ukrainian MAGURA V5 maritime drone used by Kiev’s military intelligence. These drones can carry hundreds of kilograms of explosives, travel long distances, and often operate in swarms.
Authorities in Constanta initially issued a Code Red warning due to the risk of further explosions along the coast, ordering residents to evacuate and maintain at least 1 km from the shoreline. The alert has since been lifted, but citizens are urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious objects.
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 and to create threats to the safety of navigation in the Black Sea.”
Romanian President Nicusor Dan blamed the incident on Moscow, stating it was a “direct consequence” of Russia’s military operation against Ukraine.
In recent months, Ukrainian drones have repeatedly entered the airspace of neighboring countries such as the Baltic states and Finland, causing airport shutdowns, building crashes, and infrastructure damage.
