Video: Romania Destroys 2 Russian-Designed Drones Near Major Black Sea Gas Project
Romanian army divers destroyed two Gerbera-type drones found drifting in the Black Sea near the Neptun Deep offshore gas project, Defence Minister Radu Miruta said on Tuesday.
The drones were spotted by a civilian vessel working near the project in Romania’s exclusive economic zone.
A Romanian Coast Guard vessel carrying army explosive ordnance disposal specialists was sent to the area and found two drones along with other debris.
The drones were destroyed in controlled explosions because of the possible risk to ships using the area and work being carried out around the offshore platform, Miruta said.
The defence ministry contacted Ukraine to check whether the drones belonged to its forces. Ukrainian authorities confirmed that they did not.
“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,” Miruta said.
The drones were found about 90 nautical miles, or roughly 167 km, east of the Black Sea port of Constanta. Their exact origin has not been established. Romanian authorities also have not said whether they were carrying explosives.
Drones found near major gas project
The incident took place close to Neptun Deep, one of Romania’s major offshore gas projects. It is jointly owned by OMV Petrom and state-owned gas producer Romgaz.
The project is scheduled to start production in 2027. It is expected to double Romania’s gas production and make the country the European Union’s largest natural gas producer.
Gas from the project is also expected to supply other European countries, including Germany and Moldova.
The discovery of the drones comes as Romania deals with repeated drone incidents linked to the war in neighbouring Ukraine.
Romania shares a 614-km (382-mile) land border with Ukraine. It has reported more than 30 incidents in which Russian drones violated its airspace since Russia began repeatedly attacking Ukrainian Danube ports.
In July, Romanian F-16 fighter jets shot down three drones that entered Romanian airspace on three consecutive days.
On July 24, an F-16 destroyed a drone that had entered Romanian airspace. It was the first time Romania had used a fighter jet to shoot down such a target since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Investigators later identified the drone as Russian.
Another drone was shot down on July 25, while a third was intercepted over the Black Sea near Sulina on July 26.
Video Credits: EU Perspectives/YouTube
Black Sea shipping faces mine threat
The incident comes as drifting mines have also raised concerns for shipping and energy routes in the Black Sea.
Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey have neutralised more than 150 mines drifting across important Black Sea trade routes since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
In July, the three NATO members agreed to expand their joint task force, which clears mines in the Black Sea, to include missions to protect critical infrastructure.
Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey all have gas exploration or production projects in the Black Sea.
Another incident occurred on Aug. 8, when an unidentified explosive drone crossed from Romania into Bulgaria and detonated near the Trans-Balkan pipeline.
The blast happened about 100 metres inside Bulgarian territory and around 1 km from a compressor station. Its origin has not been established.
What are Gerbera drones?
The Gerbera is a Russian-designed, low-cost drone used by Russian forces for reconnaissance and as a decoy during attacks. It is commonly used alongside heavier Shahed-type strike drones. Some versions can also be used in attacks.
The drones are mainly made from plywood and foam and have a standard range of about 700 km. Some recovered versions have been fitted with additional fuel tanks in the nose to increase their range.
The low cost of the drones allows them to be used in large numbers, including to confuse or overwhelm air-defence systems.
It is not known whether the two drones found near Neptun Deep were carrying explosives or why they ended up in Romanian waters.
The Black Sea has become an important area of military and maritime activity since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Ukraine has used aerial drones and drone boats against Russian shipping in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, including vessels linked to the transport of sanctioned Russian oil or gas.
Russia has also increased missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian ports and ships entering or leaving them.
References: Reuters, KyivPost
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