The Romanian military detonated two Russian drones in the Black Sea near the Neptun Deep gas extraction project, acting Defense Minister Radu Mirute announced. Mirute published a video showing the operation.
Romanian army explosive ordnance disposal divers destroyed the two Gerbera-type drones on the afternoon of July 11. The operation took place in Romania's exclusive economic zone, about 166 kilometers east of the city of Constanta. Mirute did not directly state that the drones belonged to Russia, but Gerbera is a Russian drone model.
Discovery and detonation
A vessel working near the gas platform first spotted the drones drifting in the water. A coast guard ship carrying military personnel then dispatched to the location, according to Mirute.
The military team discovered two floating drones and several additional pieces of debris. Romania's Ministry of Defense contacted Ukrainian partners, who confirmed the drones did not belong to Ukraine.
Mirute said officials decided to destroy the drones through a controlled detonation to ensure the safety of maritime traffic and operations around the gas platform.
Regional Black Sea attacks
Russian forces recently intensified attacks against the Odesa region and vessels in the Black Sea following successful Ukrainian strikes on Russian targets. The bombardments forced the closure of seaports and halted maritime exports through the region.
On the day before the drone discovery, a Ukrainian Air Force MiG-29 jet crashed during a combat mission in the Odesa region. The pilot survived the crash.
