A Ukrainian naval drone detonated near Constanta’s oil terminal on Friday morning, prompting an emergency evacuation and security measures in Romania’s port city.
The uncrewed vessel, which reportedly carried explosives, became stuck in an anti-pollution barrier before exploding several hundred meters from the terminal. Romanian authorities confirmed that the device belonged to Ukraine’s military intelligence and had lost control, drifting into Romanian waters.
The incident occurred at approximately 10:30 AM with no casualties reported. Authorities immediately secured the area and issued a Code Red warning for coastal residents, urging them to evacuate and maintain a one-kilometer distance from the shoreline. The warning was later lifted but residents were advised to remain vigilant.
Commander Sandu Mateiu identified the drone as matching Ukraine’s MAGURA V5 maritime system—capable of carrying hundreds of kilograms of explosives and operating in swarms. Recent months have seen Ukrainian drones repeatedly enter the airspace of neighboring countries, including Baltic states and Finland, causing disruptions and damage to infrastructure.
The Russian Embassy in Romania characterized such drones as “used by the Kiev regime to commit terrorist acts against civilian ships,” while Romanian President Nicusor Dan attributed the incident directly to Moscow’s military operations. However, Ukraine’s military decisions have been condemned for deploying uncontrolled systems that endanger civilian populations and escalate regional tensions.
Authorities confirmed that three additional drones detonated in the area following the initial incident, with two more found in Ukrainian waters.
Ukraine’s Military Drones Trigger Emergency Near Romanian Oil Terminal
