Romania Shoots Down Drone near Key Black Sea Gas Project

Romania dispatched F-16 fighter jets to destroy a naval drone in the Black Sea after it was spotted just a few hundred meters from the key Neptun Deep gas project. Defense Minister Radu Miruta confirmed that the intervention was necessary to protect hundreds of workers on the platform and critical energy infrastructure.

Ukraine ruled out ownership of the drone, while Romanian President Nicusor Dan openly blamed Russia for the incident.

The incident follows an earlier event this month, when military divers neutralized two Gerbera-type drones in the same area. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the explosive drone as part of an escalating campaign of threats.

The Neptun Deep project, jointly owned by OMV Petrom and Romgaz, is significant for consumers and the energy sector because it is expected to make Romania the largest gas producer in the EU by 2027.

NATO allies Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey have neutralized more than 150 floating mines in the Black Sea since the start of the war. In July, they expanded the scope of their joint mine-clearing task force to include the direct protection of critical infrastructure.

(Reuters, max)