Ukraine Attributes Port Constanța Drone Accident to Rogue Russian Electronic Interference

A Ukrainian Navy uncrewed surface vessel lost control under Russian electronic warfare interference during missions in the Black Sea operational zone and ended up near the coast of Romania, Ukraine’s Navy said on June 5.

According to the Ukrainian Navy, it provided the necessary information to Romania’s naval forces to prevent civilian casualties.

“During missions in the Black Sea operational zone, one of the uncrewed surface vessels of the Ukrainian Navy lost control under the influence of enemy electronic warfare and ended up near the coast of Romania. The Ukrainian Navy provided the necessary information to the Romanian Navy in order to prevent casualties among the civilian population,” the Ukrainian Navy said.

The incident occurred near the Romanian port of Constanța, where the naval drone later exploded near a pier after reaching the area.

According to some reports, the uncrewed boat detonated after colliding with a boom barrier near the quay. Other accounts suggested it did not explode on impact, but self-detonated because of a timer discovered by a Romanian explosive ordnance disposal team.

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi also said Kyiv had informed Romania in time after the naval drone lost control because of Russian jamming.

“On the incident in the port of Constanța, Romania: Ukraine’s Navy informed the Romanian side in a timely manner of a naval drone that had lost control because of Russian jamming,” Tykhyi said.

According to him, Ukrainian and Romanian authorities remained in close contact, secured the area, and prevented harm to civilians.

“Both states’ relevant authorities have been in close touch since then, took control of the situation, and made sure the area was safe. Such effective coordination allowed to take necessary measures to prevent harm to civilians,” he said.

Tykhyi added that the incident showed how Russia’s full-scale war creates risks beyond Ukraine’s borders.

“This incident shows once again that Russia’s ongoing full-scale aggression poses a threat not only to Ukraine, but to the entire region. Effective coordination is key to mitigate its consequences to neighbouring countries,” he said.

Romania’s Defense Ministry said the sea drone was of a type used in the war in Ukraine.

“The naval drone self-detonated at around 10:30 a.m., causing no casualties,” Romania’s Defense Ministry said.

By that time, the area had already been secured and isolated by Romania’s Coast Guard and the Ministry of National Defense.

Romanian officials said the object was being assessed and made safe when the detonation occurred.

“The naval drone belongs to the type of uncrewed systems used in the war in Ukraine,” the Romanian Defense Ministry said.

The ministry also stressed that the object was not in service with Romania’s Armed Forces and was not involved in recent exercises held in the Black Sea.

Earlier, reports emerged that Russia is using electronic warfare systems based in Kaliningrad to interfere with the routes of Ukrainian drones striking targets inside Russia, causing Ukrainian drones to lose navigational accuracy and drift toward the Baltic states and Finland.

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