An unidentified naval drone exploded at Romania’s Black Sea port of Constanta, raising fresh security concerns in the NATO member state as the war in neighbouring Ukraine continues to spill into regional waters and airspace.
Romanian officials said the drone was not part of the Romanian Navy or military equipment and that the blast caused no casualties or damage, though authorities launched an investigation and tightened security around the port.
Romania’s Defence Ministry said the maritime drone self-detonated at around 10:30am local time near Constanta port. The blast occurred roughly 500 metres from an oil terminal, sending clouds of smoke rising from the port area.
Foreign media reported a strong explosion, after which police surrounded the area and emergency measures were activated.
Drone resembled those used in Ukraine war
According to the Romanian Ministry of Defence, the drone’s structure was similar to naval drones used in the Ukraine war. Officials said the drone did not belong to the Romanian Navy and was not involved in recent Black Sea military exercises.
Romanian authorities did not immediately specify whether the drone was of Ukrainian or Russian origin.
Russia’s embassy in Romania claimed in a statement that the drones were Ukrainian naval unmanned aerial vehicles, while Ukrainian authorities did not immediately comment.
Port evacuated as searches continue
Following the explosion, Romania’s largest port was evacuated as a precaution. Residents were warned to avoid the Black Sea coast while ships and two helicopters began searching the area for additional drones.
Deputy Interior Minister Raed Arafat said the measures were preventative. “We are not panicking, our measures are purely preventative,” Arafat told reporters.
Three more naval drones found
During the search operation, three more naval drones were found near the Romanian port of Constanta, according to a news agency report. Two helicopters were deployed to continue scanning the area for any further threats.
Earlier reports also said a naval drone had been spotted near the port before the explosion.
Ukraine reportedly warned Romania
News website G4Media cited Constanta county prefect Adrian Teodor Picoiu as saying Ukraine had notified Romania that the drone was part of a group of five.
According to that report, one of the drones had exploded in Ukraine. Romanian officials have not confirmed the origin of the drone group, and investigations remain ongoing.
The explosion marked the second major security incident in a populated area of Romania within a week.
Earlier, Romanian authorities said a Russian drone crashed into an apartment building in the southeastern city of Galati, near the border with Ukraine, injuring two people.
That incident was described as the first time during the war that a drone struck a densely populated area in a NATO state.
Romanian president warns of security threat
Romanian President Nicusor Dan called the Constanta incident the second significant security incident this week on the Romanian seaside. His remarks came shortly after news of the drone detonation emerged.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also warned on X that Russia’s war in Ukraine is increasingly becoming a direct threat to countries on Europe’s eastern border.
France expresses solidarity
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed solidarity with Romania after the drone explosion. He said the security of Romania and all of Europe is important to France.
Macron added that protecting Romania’s sovereignty and territorial integrity remains a top priority.
Constanta is Romania’s largest port and a key Black Sea hub.
Ukraine has used the port as an alternative route for grain exports and fuel imports since Russia’s invasion disrupted traditional routes. The port has 156 berths and 32 kilometres of quays, making it strategically important for regional trade.
The Black Sea is crucial for shipments of grain, oil and oil products and is shared by Bulgaria, Romania, Georgia, Turkey, Ukraine and Russia.
Black Sea risks continue to rise
Romania shares a 650-kilometre land border with Ukraine and has repeatedly reported Russian drones breaching its airspace since the start of Moscow’s invasion.
The country has also faced dangers from mines drifting across the Black Sea along major trade and energy routes.
Earlier this week, Romania’s navy detonated a Russian YaRM-type anti-landing mine that had drifted to its Black Sea shore.
Separately, Ukraine carried out drone attacks on five Russian ships, according to the report. Five Azerbaijani citizens were killed when a drone struck a ship.
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