Neutralization of drones near a strategic object
On August 11, 2026, it was reported that two Russian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) of the 'Gerber' type were neutralized in the waters of the Black Sea, in close proximity to the Neptun Deep offshore gas project. This was announced by Radu Miruțe, the Acting Minister of Defense of Romania, on his Facebook account. The incident occurred approximately 90 nautical miles (over 166 kilometers) east of the city of Constanța, where work on developing offshore deposits is underway.
The drones were detected by one of the vessels operating in the Neptun Deep platform area. Following this, a Coast Guard vessel with military personnel on board was dispatched to the incident zone. Demolition experts conducted a controlled destruction of the drones by detonation to prevent any potential threat to infrastructure and personnel.
Confirmation of drone origin
The Romanian Ministry of National Defense promptly contacted Ukrainian partners, who confirmed that these unmanned systems do not belong to Ukraine. This was a key factor in establishing the origin of the drones, which, according to experts, are of Russian manufacture. 'Gerber' type drones are typically used for reconnaissance operations or as decoys to distract enemy air defense systems.
Contradictory data
Although Romania has officially confirmed the destruction of two drones, there are discrepancies regarding the details of the incident. Some sources suggest that the number of detected objects could have been higher, although exact data has not been disclosed. Furthermore, it remains unclear whether the drones were active at the time of detection or were merely drifting debris. These questions require further investigation and clarification by international experts.
Context: rising tension in the Black Sea
This incident is not isolated. Previously, on July 31, 2026, Romanian authorities issued an emergency warning to residents of the northern part of Tulcea County due to the appearance of drones near the border with Ukraine. Two F-16 fighters were scrambled to ensure safety. Three days prior, Romania had shot down three Russian unmanned aerial vehicles, costing the state 1.5 million euros. It was also revealed that a drone shot down over Romania on July 24 turned out to be a Russian 'Shahed', a fact confirmed by the country's prosecution service.
Consequences for energy security
The destruction of drones near the Neptun Deep gas project raises serious concerns regarding the safety of Romania's energy infrastructure and the entire region. The Neptun Deep project is one of the key initiatives for ensuring the country's energy independence and holds strategic significance. Any attempts to interfere with its operations could lead to serious economic and political consequences.
