NATO member Romania scrambles F-16 fighter jets to destroy drone near critical European gas project

It comes weeks after Romania’s Air Force destroyed a Russian drone in its airspace.

Romania destroyed an explosive-carrying marine drone near the Neptun Deep offshore gas project after it approached critical infrastructure in the Black Sea. Kyiv told Bucharest the vessel was not Ukrainian, while Romania’s president blamed Russia.

Craig Munro | Senior Politics Reporter Published August 20, 2026 4:49pm Updated August 20, 2026 4:50pm A picture of the drone uploaded by Romania’s defence minister (Picture: Radu Miruţă) A marine drone packed with explosives was destroyed by fighter jets in the Black Sea a few hundred metres from an under-construction

Poland says it is activating a range of defensive measures in response to the strikes unfolding across the border

Von der Leyen warns of 'hybrid warfare' after Romania naval drone incident  euractiv.com

Two F-16 fighter jets scrambled after spotting a drone "loaded with explosives" near a Black Sea gas project. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said the incident was part of "an escalating campaign of threats."

President Nicusor Dan blamed Russia for the explosive-laden maritime drone in the Black Sea - another indication of the security risks that Romania faces as the war in neighbouring Ukraine continues.

Romanian military destroys suspected Russian sea drone in Black Sea  The Kyiv Independent

European Commission ⁠President Ursula von der Leyen has said that the naval drone carrying ‌explosives ⁠which was destroyed by Romania near a Black Sea gas project is ‌part of "an escalating ⁠campaign ‌of threats."

Device was near country’s Neptun Deep gas platform in the Black Sea Romania’s military has destroyed a marine drone spotted just “a few hundred meters” from the Neptun Deep platform, a major offshore gas project in the Black Sea. The drone, spotted just “a few hundreds of meters” from the gas extraction works at the Ne

BUCHAREST, Aug 20 - Romania scrambled F-16 fighter jets to destroy a marine drone spotted a few hundred metres from the Black Sea gas project Neptun Deep, Defence Minister Radu Miruta said on Thursday.

Romania destroys marine drone near Neptun Deep gas project, minister says  Reuters

A drone crashed in eastern Romania as the country and neighbouring Poland stepped up air defences during a major Russian attack on Ukraine.

NATO fighter jets took off from Poland and Romania following massive strikes by Russia on Kyiv where at least 12 people were killed and dozens injured

Two Spanish F-18 fighter jets were scrambled to monitor the situation, as well as a Romanian air force helicopter to carry out reconaissance.

20 August 2026 Another drone entered Romanian airspace near Galați early on Thursday, August 20, before crashing in an unpopulated area near Grindu, Tulcea County, the Ministry of National Defense (MApN) announced. No casualties or property damage were reported. The ministry said its radar surveillance system detected