3 weeks ago
Romania destroys Gerbera drones drifting near Neptun Deep gas project
Some drones – flying machines that can be controlled from far away – were floating in the sea near a big gas project called Neptun Deep in the Black Sea.
The Romanian army found them and decided to destroy them with a safe explosion.
This was done to keep ships and workers near the gas platform out of danger.
The drones were drifting in the part of the sea that belongs to Romania.
Ukraine said the drones were not theirs, but nobody said exactly whose they were.
Romania is next to Ukraine and has been affected by the war that Russia started.
Sometimes Russian drones enter Romania's airspace, and Romania's pilots have shot some of them down.
Many dangerous floating mines have also been found in the Black Sea.
Romania works with other NATO countries to keep the sea and its energy projects safe.
The gas project, when it starts working in 2027, could make Romania the biggest gas producer in the European Union.
Romanian army divers destroyed two Gerbera-type drones drifting in Romania's Black Sea exclusive economic zone near the Neptun Deep offshore gas project.
Defence Minister Radu Miruta said the drones were removed by controlled detonation to keep the shipping lane and works around the platform safe.
Ukraine confirmed the drones did not belong to its forces, though the minister did not specify their origin.
In July, Romanian F-16 fighter jet pilots shot down three Russian drones breaching national airspace over three consecutive days.
NATO states Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey have neutralised more than 150 drifting mines and agreed in July to expand a joint task force to protect critical infrastructure.
- Who
- Romanian army divers and Defence Minister Radu Miruta, with confirmation from Ukraine.
- What
- Two Gerbera-type drones drifting near the Neptun Deep gas project were destroyed by controlled detonation.
- Where
- Romania's Black Sea exclusive economic zone, near the Neptun Deep offshore gas project.
- When
- Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
- Why
- To ensure the safety of the shipping lane and the works being carried out around the platform.
Key facts
- Event
- Controlled destruction of two Gerbera-type drones
- Location
- Romania's Black Sea exclusive economic zone, near Neptun Deep
- Date
- Tuesday, August 11, 2026
- Drones' origin
- Not specified; Ukraine confirmed they did not belong to its forces
- Neptun Deep owners
- OMV Petrom and state gas producer Romgaz
- Neptun Deep startup
- Due onstream in 2027; would make Romania the EU's largest gas producer
- Drifting mines neutralised
- More than 150 by NATO states Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey
- July task force expansion
- Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey agreed to expand the joint mine-clearing task force to protect critical infrastructure
Quotes
Defence Minister Radu Miruta
Romanian defence minister
“"For the safety of the shipping lane and the works being carried out around the platform, the decision was made to carry out a controlled destruction by detonation."”
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