Updated: 20 августа, 2026 4:50 пп
A Romanian Air Force F-16 fighter jet destroyed a sea unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) in the Black Sea, near the city of Constanta.
According to the Romanian Ministry of Defense, the incident occurred on August 20 during a scheduled flight near the country’s territorial waters. Information regarding the unknown object was received from a commercial vessel. Following this, two Romanian Air Force F-16 fighter jets were scrambled urgently.
The drone was detected in Romania’s exclusive economic zone, near the Neptun Alpha platform, approximately 80 nautical miles east of Constanta. One of the fighter jets intercepted the target, opened fire with its onboard cannon, and hit the drone.
The destroyed sea drone was reported to be loaded with explosives. The origin of the device has not yet been confirmed. Ukraine denied that it belonged to it.
Currently, a Romanian Coast Guard vessel and a team of Navy explosive ordnance disposal specialists have been dispatched to the scene. They are examining the remains of the drone and investigating other details of the incident.
