A Ukrainian naval drone has exploded near an oil terminal in Romania’s Black Sea port of Constanta after reportedly being knocked off course by Russian electronic warfare systems, prompting a large-scale evacuation and raising fresh concerns about the growing spillover risks of the war beyond Ukraine’s borders.

Romanian authorities stated that the unmanned surface vessel self-destructed without causing casualties, although the incident triggered a major security response in one of the country’s most important maritime hubs and highlighted the increasingly direct impact of the conflict on neighbouring NATO members.

According to Romania’s Defence Ministry, the drone detonated at approximately 500 metres from an oil terminal in the port of Constanta.

The Defence Ministry added that the device was not part of Romania’s military inventory and was identified as a type of sea drone currently being used in the war in Ukraine.

Ukrainian Navy later confirmed ownership of the vessel, explaining that it had lost control of the drone while it was operating in the Black Sea.

“While carrying out missions in the Black Sea operational area, one of the Ukrainian Navy’s unmanned surface vessels came under the influence of the enemy’s electronic warfare systems, lost control, and ended up near the coast of Romania,”
Ukrainian Navy

The explosion prompted the evacuation of more than 1,000 people from nearby beaches and areas around the Danube Delta. Authorities also temporarily cleared parts of the port while helicopters, ships and coast guard teams searched for additional devices.

Deputy Interior Minister Raed Arafat mentioned that two helicopters and several maritime units were deployed to monitor the area and ensure no further threat existed. Restrictions were lifted later in the day after authorities concluded there was no immediate danger.

Romanian President Nicusor Dan stated, Ukraine had informed his government that it had lost control of four naval drones in total. Besides the drone that exploded inside the port, a second device detonated under the supervision of the Romanian Coast Guard off the coast of Constanta, while two others exploded approximately 145 kilometres east of the city.

Dan described the incident as a direct consequence of Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine.

“The entry of this drone into Romanian sovereign space is a direct consequence of the war waged by Russia against Ukraine.”
Nicusor Dan

He added that the latest incident represented the second major security event affecting Romania within a week.

Last week, two people were injured after a drone struck an apartment building in the southeastern city of Galati near the Ukrainian border. Romanian authorities later confirmed the aircraft was a Russian-made Geran-2 drone.

Black Sea Tensions Rise After Drone Blast Near Romanian Coast

Romania has faced repeated airspace violations, falling drone debris and drifting naval mines since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, underscoring the growing instability along NATO’s eastern frontier as the war continues to spill beyond Ukraine’s borders.

Earlier this week, Romanian naval forces were forced to destroy a Russian YaRM-type anti-landing mine that washed ashore on the country’s Black Sea coast, adding to a growing list of maritime and aerial security incidents in the region.

Russia, however, has rejected any suggestion that it bore responsibility for the incident involving a Ukrainian sea drone that exploded near Romania’s Constanta port.

The Russian Embassy in Bucharest said the drone belonged to Ukraine and dismissed attempts to link the event to Moscow, insisting the accusations were “completely unfounded.” “These are Ukrainian unmanned maritime vehicles,” the embassy stated, maintaining that any connection to Russia was baseless.

However, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Georgii Tykhyi argued that the incident highlighted the broader risks posed by Russia’s ongoing military campaign, which he said continues to destabilise the wider region.

“This incident shows once again that Russia’s ongoing full-scale aggression poses a threat not only to Ukraine, but to the entire region.”
Georgii Tykhyi

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also warned that the war was increasingly extending beyond Ukraine, stating that “it is increasingly becoming a direct threat to countries on our Eastern border.”

NATO officials also confirmed they were closely monitoring developments following the explosion, after being briefed by Romanian authorities, as concerns grow over repeated security incidents affecting alliance territory.

The incident further highlights the strategic importance of the Black Sea, a vital corridor for global trade, including grain exports and energy shipments, much of which has been disrupted since the outbreak of the war.

Romania’s Constanta port, the largest on the Black Sea, has taken on increased significance since 2022, serving as a key alternative export route for Ukrainian grain and an important logistics gateway for fuel and other supplies heading into Ukraine.

The port handles millions of tonnes of cargo annually and features 156 berths along more than 30 kilometres of quays, making it one of the most important maritime hubs in the region.

As the conflict enters its fifth year, security concerns along NATO’s eastern flank continue to intensify. Repeated incidents involving drones, missiles and naval mines have highlighted the risks facing countries bordering the war zone, even as Romania and its allies attempt to avoid direct involvement in the conflict while strengthening defensive readiness.