Two Romanian F-16 fighter jets destroyed a marine drone packed with explosives in the Black Sea on Thursday, August 20, 2026, just a few hundred metres from the under-construction Neptun Deep gas platform. The drone was spotted by a commercial ship at around 6.30am local time (4.20am UK time), prompting the military response.
Drone Destroyed Near Critical Infrastructure
Romanian defence minister Radu Miruţă confirmed the decision to destroy the drone was made to protect the lives of several hundred workers on the platform and to secure the critical infrastructure. He added that he had received confirmation from Ukrainian authorities that the drone did not originate with them, implicitly attributing the threat to Russia.
President Nicușor Dan congratulated the jet pilots and coast guard for their response and blamed Russia in social media posts. He wrote: 'I strongly condemn the intensification of these types of irresponsible incidents on the part of the Russian Federation. We remain vigilant alongside NATO allies to defend ourselves and repel such challenges.'
European Commission President Condemns Escalating Threats
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X: 'An escalating campaign of threats is underway, unsettling our citizens and seeking to divide our Union.' The Neptun Deep platform is part of a project that is set to make Romania the biggest gas producer in the European Union when it comes online next year.
This incident comes just four days after a pair of Spanish fighter jets were deployed to shoot down a drone that entered Romanian airspace on Sunday. According to news agency Reuters, it was the fourth unmanned aircraft to be shot down in Romania – a member of Nato – since the start of this year.
Romania's Proximity to Ukraine Raises Risks
Romania shares a 382-mile land border with Ukraine, and its proximity has meant it is occasionally impacted directly by the conflict. In May, a drone from Russia hit a block of flats in the eastern town of Galați, which is close to the border with Ukraine. Two people were injured in the incident, which also started a fire in the building, prompting an evacuation.
