An unmanned maritime vehicle (UMV) belonging to Ukraine exploded during an intervention by security forces at the Port of Constanța, located on Romania's Black Sea coast. While there were no casualties reported, it has been stated that there was no significant damage to the port infrastructure.

According to information reported in the Romanian press, the unmanned maritime vehicle, believed to belong to the Ukrainian Navy, was detected on Friday in the northern part of the port, entangled in pollution control barriers. The vehicle was found near a pier used by search and rescue vessels, opposite the liquid cargo and grain terminals.

Footage captured by eyewitnesses showed the vehicle wedged in the pollution control barrier before it detonated in a violent explosion. The explosion resulted in a dense cloud of debris and smoke over the port.

Investigation into Its Origin and Entry into the Port

Authorities are assessing that the vehicle could be one of the Ukrainian-made Sea Baby or Sargan-3000 type unmanned maritime vehicles. It was noted that the vehicle was equipped with a camera platform, a Starlink satellite communication terminal, and various antenna systems.

It remains unclear how the unmanned maritime vehicle reached the inner parts of the port. Romanian authorities stated that the vehicle may have lost communication while at sea and could have drifted into the port due to currents. They emphasized that for the vehicle to reach a point approximately three nautical miles inside the port entrance, it would have had to pass through a narrow channel and limited maneuvering areas.

Romanian President Nicușor Dan stated that Ukrainian officials had previously informed Romanian authorities about the loss of control over the unmanned vehicle.

Area Evacuated

Following the discovery of the vehicle, Romanian security forces evacuated the area as a precaution against a potential explosion. Authorities announced that no casualties occurred thanks to the implemented security procedures.

While government sources indicated that there was no significant damage to the port facilities, some images showed limited damage to a nearby warehouse.

In his statement, President Dan said, 'The primary responsibility for such incidents lies with Russia, the country that initiated the attack. Ukraine is the defending party. All anticipated procedures were thoroughly implemented in the incident at Constanța Port.'

Increase in Unmanned Maritime Vehicle Operations in the Black Sea

Ukraine has intensified its operations in the Black Sea with the unmanned maritime vehicles it has developed recently. The Kiev administration claims to have struck numerous targets belonging to the Russian navy with these vehicles and asserts its effectiveness over a wide area of the Black Sea.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian General Staff confirmed that an attack was carried out on the 15th Naval Base facility in northwestern Russia. The statement suggested that missile and ammunition depots were targeted and that a portion of the facility was destroyed.

It is assessed that attacks using unmanned aerial and maritime vehicles against the Black Sea and inland regions of Russia have significantly increased in recent months.

Source: SeaNews Türkiye