BUCHAREST, Romania — Romanian authorities launched a rapid military response after a maritime drone carrying explosives was detected dangerously close to the Neptun Deep offshore gas project in the Black Sea, prompting heightened security concerns around critical energy infrastructure.
The incident unfolded on August 20, when a commercial vessel reported a suspicious unmanned craft at approximately 6:28 a.m. local time. Officials said the vessel was drifting only several hundred meters from the Neptun Alpha production platform, roughly 80 nautical miles, or 148 kilometers, east of Constanța, inside Romania’s exclusive economic zone.
Given the drone’s proximity to offshore personnel and strategically important energy infrastructure, the Romanian Coast Guard alerted the Ministry of National Defence. An emergency command cell was established to assess the situation and determine whether immediate action was necessary.
Interim Defence Minister Radu Miruță said authorities determined that the threat required a rapid response. Following consultations with President Nicușor Dan, Romanian forces were authorized to neutralize the vessel.
✈️ F-16s Move In
Two Romanian Air Force F-16 fighter jets were dispatched toward the area. One aircraft engaged the maritime drone with its onboard cannon, damaging the vessel and reducing the immediate threat.
The craft nevertheless remained afloat and continued drifting, forcing Romanian authorities to launch a second phase of the operation.
A Coast Guard vessel carrying an explosive ordnance disposal team from the Romanian Naval Forces was sent to investigate. EOD specialists examined the damaged craft and confirmed the presence of an explosive charge.
The team subsequently carried out a controlled detonation, eliminating the remaining danger. Romania’s Defence Ministry later released footage showing portions of the military response and disposal operation.
⚠️ Origin Under Investigation
Romanian officials also sought to determine where the drone came from. Miruță said authorities contacted Ukraine through a recently established direct communication channel and were told that the vessel was not Ukrainian.
President Dan subsequently blamed Russia for the incident, highlighting concerns over the expanding security risks surrounding Romania and other NATO members along the Black Sea.
The episode follows other reported drone-related incidents near the Neptun Deep project, including the destruction of two Russian-made Gerbera-type aerial drones earlier in August.
🔥 Critical Energy Target
Neptun Deep is strategically important to Romania’s energy security and Europe’s broader gas supply. The project, developed by OMV Petrom and Romgaz, is expected to substantially increase Romania’s natural-gas production when full-scale operations begin in 2027.
The latest incident underscores the growing risks posed by unmanned systems operating near NATO territory and critical infrastructure as the war in Ukraine continues.
Romanian authorities say they remain on heightened alert while coordinating with NATO partners to protect offshore facilities, territorial waters and personnel.
