Romania Destroys Explosives-Laden Drone Near Black Sea Gas Project

Romanian forces destroyed an explosives-laden maritime drone near the strategic Neptun Deep offshore gas project in the Black Sea on Thursday, August 20, in an incident that prompted President Nicusor Dan to condemn what he called an escalation of irresponsible acts by the Russian Federation. The drone was detected just hundreds of meters from the platform where several hundred workers were present.

The incident began at approximately 6:28 a.m. local time when a commercial vessel reported a drifting maritime drone near the Neptun Deep platform, located about 80 nautical miles east of the port city of Constanta. According to the Romanian Defense Ministry, two Romanian Air Force F-16 fighter jets were scrambled to intercept the threat. One aircraft engaged and destroyed the target using its onboard cannon, marking the first time Romania has used a cannon against a drone and its first engagement against a maritime drone.

Defense Minister Radu Miruta confirmed the drone was carrying explosives. He stated that through a recently established direct communication channel, Ukrainian authorities provided official confirmation that the drone was not of Ukrainian origin. Following the...