Overview
- A maritime unmanned surface vessel of the type used in the Russia–Ukraine war was found in berth 78 at Constanța and self‑detonated on Friday after authorities had secured and evacuated the area, producing no casualties.
- Romanian Intelligence Service teams, the coast guard and defence personnel activated the Red Intervention Plan, cordoned the site, issued RO‑ALERT evacuation warnings and deployed helicopters to scan the coast for further devices.
- Local officials, citing information from Ukraine, said the exploded drone was one of a group of five and police and naval crews subsequently reported finding additional unmanned boats while searches continued for up to three others.
- Attribution is contested: Ukraine has said one of its explosive drones lost control after Russian electronic jamming, Russia has denied responsibility, and Romanian investigators are forensically examining fragments and damage.
- Constanța is Romania’s largest Black Sea port and a major hub for grain, fuel and allied logistics, so the incident underscores immediate risks to civilian infrastructure, possible cross‑border spillover and the need for tightened coastal and port safeguards.