Ukraine says sea drone that exploded in Constanța was diverted by electronic interference

A Ukrainian naval drone exploded in the Romanian Black Sea port city of Constanta on Friday after reportedly veering off course because of Russian electronic warfare, according to the Ukrainian Navy. The navy said one of its unmanned surface vessels lost control while operating in the Black Sea and drifted toward Romania’s coast, adding that it passed information to Romanian authorities in an effort to prevent civilian casualties.

Romania’s Ministry of National Defence said the drone detonated at about 10:30 a.m. local time. Officials said the object was believed to be of the type used in the war in Ukraine. The ministry said the area had already been secured and cordoned off by the Romanian Intelligence Service, the Coast Guard and the defence ministry while the object was being assessed and secured. It also said the drone was not part of the Romanian Army’s equipment and had not been involved in recent military exercises in the Black Sea.

No injuries have been reported so far, and an investigation is under way.

Romanian President Nicușor Dan said on X that the incident was a “direct consequence” of Russia’s war against Ukraine. He also said three additional drones exploded on Friday: one under Coast Guard supervision off the coast of Constanta and two others about 145 kilometres east of the city. According to Dan, none of the explosions caused casualties or significant damage, and there was no further danger to Romanian citizens or infrastructure.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed solidarity with Romania, saying Russia’s war in Ukraine was increasingly becoming a direct threat to countries on the European Union’s eastern border. She said solidarity with all member states exposed to such threats was absolute.

Emergency services responded in Constanta, including police, border guards and firefighters. A Black Hawk helicopter was also deployed by Romania’s Department for Emergency Situations to support the response.

The incident comes a week after a Russian drone carrying explosives crashed in the eastern Romanian city of Galați, causing a fire on the roof of a residential apartment block and injuring two people.

The latest explosion in Constanta highlights the continuing spillover effects of the war in Ukraine on neighbouring Romania, a NATO and EU member state bordering the Black Sea. Romanian authorities said no civilian casualties or major damage were reported, but the event prompted a large-scale emergency response and remains under investigation.