Romania Destroys Marine Drone Near Black Sea Gas Project

Romania scrambled F-16 fighter jets on Thursday to destroy a marine drone spotted just a few hundred metres from the Neptun Deep gas project in the Black Sea, Defence Minister Radu Miruta said.

The incident underscores the growing threat to critical energy infrastructure in the region from drones and mines linked to Russia's war in Ukraine. Neptun Deep is expected to make Romania the European Union's largest gas producer when it comes onstream in 2027.

Miruta said the decision to destroy the drone was taken to protect the lives of several hundred workers on the platform and to secure critical infrastructure. He did not state the drone's origin but said Ukraine had confirmed it did not belong to its forces.

President Nicusor Dan blamed Russia, condemning what he called the intensification of irresponsible incidents by the Russian Federation. He said Romania remained vigilant alongside NATO allies to defend against such challenges.

NATO members Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey have neutralised more than 150 mines drifting across Black Sea trade lanes. In July, the three states agreed to expand a joint task force to include missions protecting critical infrastructure.

Romania shares a 614-km land border with Ukraine and has seen Russian drones breach its airspace over the past four years. Thursday's action follows an earlier incident this month when divers destroyed two Gerbera-type drones drifting near the Neptun Deep project.

The Neptun Deep field is jointly owned by OMV Petrom and state gas producer Romgaz.