On 20 August, Romanian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Radu Miruță announced that the Romanian Army successfully destroyed a marine drone loaded with explosives in the vicinity of the Neptun Deep platform in the Black Sea. Minister Miruță confirmed that two Romanian F-16 fighter jets were dispatched and successfully neutralised the drone.
The minister also confirmed, via a new communication channel with Ukraine, that the drone was not Ukrainian.
He noted that the Coast Guard had alerted authorities to the presence of the drone, which was located a few hundred meters from the ongoing gas extraction activities at the Neptun Deep platform, situated 80 miles east of Constanța, within the exclusive economic zone.
A command cell was established at the Ministry of National Defence (MApN) level to coordinate with NATO, with the Romanian Army taking charge.
Romanian President Nicușor Dan extended his congratulations to the Romanian Army and the pilots for their successful mission. He commended the Coast Guard for their prompt and effective reporting of the drone’s presence in the area.
“I strongly condemn the increasing frequency of such irresponsible incidents orchestrated by the Russian Federation. We stand vigilant alongside our NATO allies to ensure our defence and address these challenges,” President Dan stated in a message shared on the social media platform X.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, about 30 drones have entered Romanian airspace.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the destruction of the naval drone near the Neptun Deep platform in the Black Sea is indicative of an escalating campaign of threats that is disturbing European Union citizens and attempting to create divisions within the Union.
“This constitutes a hybrid war,” emphasised Ursula von der Leyen. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says the destruction of the naval drone near the Neptun Deep platform in the Black Sea is part of an escalating campaign of threats that is unsettling EU citizens and seeking to divide the Union. “This is a hybrid war,” Ursula von der Leyen stressed.
The Neptun Deep offshore platform is a collaboration between Romgaz and OMV Petrom. This initiative is the largest natural gas project in Romania and marks the country’s first deep-offshore undertaking. It is expected to make a significant contribution to the country’s economic development and enhance the security of energy supply.
