A Romanian F-16 fighter jet destroyed an explosive-laden maritime drone in Romania's exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea near the Neptun Deep offshore gas project. The drone was safely destroyed after being spotted several hundred meters from the offshore gas extraction facilities about 80 nautical miles east of Constanta. The Defence Ministry established a command cell and requested NATO command at the Romanian Armed Forces level. The drone was confirmed not to be of Ukrainian origin, and President Nicusor Dan blamed Russia for the incident, condemning it as part of intensifying irresponsible provocations. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen characterized this as hybrid warfare and announced efforts to enhance European drone defense capabilities. This incident follows previous occurrences of drones near Romania's offshore gas project and airspace violations, linked to increased Russian attacks in the region.

A Romanian F-16 fighter jet destroyed an explosive-laden maritime drone in Romania's exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea near the Neptun Deep offshore gas project. The drone was safely destroyed after being spotted several hundred meters from the offshore gas extraction facilities about 80 nautical miles east of Constanta. The Defence Ministry established a command cell and requested NATO command at the Romanian Armed Forces level. The drone was confirmed not to be of Ukrainian origin, and President Nicusor Dan blamed Russia for the incident, condemning it as part of intensifying irresponsible provocations. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen characterized this as hybrid warfare and announced efforts to enhance European drone defense capabilities. This incident follows previous occurrences of drones near Romania's offshore gas project and airspace violations, linked to increased Russian attacks in the region.