Romania confirms Ukrainian naval drone exploded in Constanța port, no casualties

On 5 June 2026 a Ukrainian naval drone detonated in the Port of Constanța after losing control, part of a set of four drones that drifted off‑course. All four devices self‑detonated – one in the port, another under Coast Guard supervision, and two farther east – without causing injuries or significant damage.

President Nicușor Dan said the loss of control was linked to Russian electronic‑warfare measures and that Ukraine had warned Romania only hours before the explosion, allowing authorities to evacuate about 1,300 people. He visited berth 78 on 6 June, inspected the pyrotechnic response, and stressed the need to adapt to new maritime‑drone threats.

Romanian officials cited the incident as a potential escalation risk between Ukraine and NATO, and announced a forthcoming NATO session on Black Sea security (starting 10 June) to discuss maritime‑drone challenges. The government also flagged ongoing modernization of naval and border‑monitoring equipment.

While the president blamed Russia for the incident, he confirmed the drone’s Ukrainian origin. No casualties were reported, and investigations into the exact launch circumstances are continuing.