A small uncrewed surface vessel detected floating in the Black Sea was engaged and destroyed by a Romanian Air Force F-16 fighter jet. The incident took place in Romania’s Exclusive Economic Zone in close proximity to the Neptun Deep offshore gas extraction infrastructure, after a passing commercial vessel reported the drone’s presence to maritime authorities.
As reported by Digi24, Interim Defense Minister Radu Miruță initially indicated that the sea drone carried explosive material, though this detail was later omitted from his official social media statements. Official communications from Ukrainian authorities confirmed that the maritime vessel did not originate from Ukraine.
Romanian President Nicușor Dan strongly condemned the escalating series of security incidents attributed to the Russian Federation following the interception near the critical energy platform. The head of state commended the Romanian Armed Forces and the Coast Guard for their rapid response and successful neutralisation of the maritime threat.
