Romanian F-16 destroys explosives-laden drone near Neptun Deep gas platform in the Black Sea
A Romanian F-16 destroyed a drone carrying explosives near the Neptun Deep gas platform in the Black Sea on Thursday. Romania confirmed the drone did not originate from Ukraine; President Nicusor Dan condemned Russia over the incident.
A Romanian F-16 fighter jet destroyed an explosives-laden maritime drone near the strategic Neptun Deep gas platform in the Black Sea on Thursday, August 20, after a commercial vessel spotted it drifting toward the site. Romanian authorities confirmed through direct contact with Ukraine that the drone did not originate there. President Nicusor Dan congratulated the pilots and Coast Guard, then separately condemned what he called the intensification of irresponsible incidents by the Russian Federation. Romania has now logged 42 unauthorized drone incursions since the war in Ukraine began, 24 of them in 2026, with only four drones shot down.