A maritime drone self-detonated on Friday in Romania’s Black Sea port of Constanta near an oil terminal, without causing casualties, as Ukraine accused Russia of jamming one of its vessels before it drifted into Romanian waters.
It was the second major incident in a populated area in Romania on NATO’s eastern flank in just a week as the spillover from the war in Ukraine threatens countries outside the conflict.
Ukraine’s navy said one of its naval drones lost control while on a mission in the Black Sea, as a result of Russian electronic warfare, and drifted towards the coast.
It contacted Romanian authorities to warn them and prevent casualties, it said.
The explosion took place a week after authorities said a Russian drone crashed into an apartment block in the southeastern Romanian city of Galati, near the border with Ukraine, injuring two people and prompting the evacuation of dozens.
It was the first time in the war that began in 2022 a drone has struck a densely populated area in a NATO state.
Russia’s embassy in Bucharest said it was not involved in the incident and that the drone was not Russian.
The Black Sea is a vital waterway for shipments of grain, oil and oil products. The almost landlocked sea is shared by Bulgaria, Romania, Georgia and Turkey, as well as Ukraine and Russia.
Constanta port is Romania’s largest port and Ukraine has been using it as an alternative grain export route, as well as for fuel imports.
Romania’s defense ministry said the object self-detonated at 1030 a.m., some four hours after being alerted to its presence.
The port was evacuated, over 1,000 people were removed from beaches on the Black Sea and the nearby Danube Delta as a precaution. Ships and two helicopters surveyed the area for additional drones, Interior Minister official Raed Arafat said.
Restrictions were lifted later in the day after no other risks were detected.
