Ukrainian Sea Drone Explodes in Romanian Port
A Ukrainian unmanned naval vessel detonated inside the Black Sea port of Constanta on Friday after Russian electronic jamming knocked it off course. Romanian authorities evacuated more than 1,100 people from nearby beaches as a precaution.
France 24A Ukrainian sea drone exploded inside Romania's Black Sea port of Constanta on Friday morning. The device self-detonated after entering the port area, according to Romanian officials. No injuries or damage to infrastructure were reported.
Ukraine's navy stated that Russian electronic warfare systems had caused the drone to lose control during a mission in the Black Sea operational zone. The vessel drifted toward the Romanian coast and entered the port limits of Constanta. The Ukrainian Navy said it immediately informed Romanian authorities to allow measures for civilian safety.
Romanian officials issued an alert along the coastline and blocked access to several beaches. More than 1,100 people were evacuated from coastal areas. Romanian civil protection services reported 300 people removed from Costinești beach, 50 from Tuzla beach, 355 from Eforie Nord and Eforie Sud, and around 400 from the areas of Mangalia, Saturn, Venus, and Cap Aurora.
The drone was detected near the premises of the Romanian Maritime Rescue Agency inside the port. It was one of five unmanned naval vessels operating near the Romanian coast at the time. Romanian authorities monitored the situation after the detonation.
No further incidents were reported in the immediate aftermath. The Russian embassy in Romania issued a statement claiming the sea drone belonged to Ukraine and accusing Romanian defense officials of presenting incomplete information about the incident.
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