Ukrainian naval drone detonates in Romania’s Constanța port

A Ukrainian naval drone exploded inside Romania's Black Sea port of Constanța on Friday morning, June 5, marking the second major security incident on Romanian territory in less than a week. The device self-detonated near an oil terminal at approximately 10:30 a.m. local time, causing no casualties after authorities evacuated the area.

Romanian President Nicușor Dan confirmed that four Ukrainian unmanned surface vessels were involved. One detonated inside the port, a second was destroyed under Coast Guard supervision off the coast of Constanța, and two others exploded approximately 145 kilometers east of the port. All were lost without causing significant damage. The Ukrainian Navy stated that one of its drones had lost navigational control after coming under Russian electronic warfare systems while on a mission in the Black Sea. Kyiv said it had alerted Romanian authorities in advance, allowing for a preventive evacuation.

Romanian officials, including Defence Minister Radu Miruta, confirmed the drone was not part of the country's military inventory and matched a model used in the Ukraine war. Authorities activated an emergency response plan, evacuating over 1,300 people from...