Romanian authorities say an F-16 fighter jet was deployed Thursday to neutralize a maritime drone carrying explosives after the unmanned vessel was detected dangerously close to the Neptun Deep offshore gas project in the Black Sea.
The incident occurred on August 20, when a commercial vessel reported the suspicious craft at approximately 6:28 a.m. local time. The drone was drifting several hundred meters from the Neptun Alpha production platform, located about 80 nautical miles, or roughly 148 kilometers, east of Constanța within Romania’s exclusive economic zone.
The discovery triggered an immediate response from the Romanian Coast Guard, which notified the Ministry of National Defence. An emergency command cell was established as officials assessed the potential threat to the offshore facility and the hundreds of workers operating there.
Interim Defence Minister Radu Miruță said authorities determined that the situation required urgent action. After consultations with President Nicușor Dan, operational control was transferred to Romanian forces and authorization was given to neutralize the vessel.
Two Romanian Air Force F-16s were scrambled to the area. One aircraft engaged the maritime drone with its onboard cannon, damaging the vessel and reducing the immediate danger. However, the drone remained afloat and continued drifting, requiring a second phase of the operation.
A Romanian Coast Guard vessel carrying an explosive ordnance disposal team from the Romanian Naval Forces was dispatched to the scene. Specialists located the damaged craft and confirmed that it contained an explosive charge.
The EOD team subsequently carried out a controlled detonation, safely eliminating the remaining threat. Video released by Romania’s Defence Ministry showed the fighter jet engagement and the subsequent disposal operation.
Romanian officials also sought to establish the origin of the drone. Miruță said authorities contacted Ukraine through a recently established direct communication channel and received confirmation that the vessel was not Ukrainian.
President Dan strongly condemned the incident, blaming Russia and warning that such episodes demonstrate the growing security challenges facing Romania and other NATO members along the Black Sea.
“I strongly condemn the intensification of these types of irresponsible incidents on the part of the Russian Federation,” Dan said, while praising the military personnel and Coast Guard teams involved in the response.
The incident follows other drone-related security concerns near Neptun Deep. Earlier in August, Romanian forces reportedly destroyed two Russian-made Gerbera-type aerial drones discovered near the same offshore energy development.
Neptun Deep is strategically important to Romania and the European energy market. Developed by OMV Petrom and Romgaz, the project is expected to substantially increase Romania’s natural gas production once full-scale operations begin in 2027.
The latest incident underscores the growing risks created by Russia’s war against Ukraine, particularly as military activity and unmanned systems increasingly operate near NATO territory and critical infrastructure.
Romanian officials say they remain on heightened alert and will continue coordinating with NATO partners to protect the country’s territorial waters, energy infrastructure and personnel operating in the Black Sea.
