Ukrainian Naval Drones Explode in Romanian Port After Russian Jamming

On June 5, 2026, four Ukrainian Magura V5 maritime drones self-detonated in and near the Port of Constanta, Romania. One device exploded at berth 78 near an oil terminal and the headquarters of the Romanian Agency for Human Life Saving at Sea, destroying an industrial hall. Three additional drones detonated offshore or outside the port. No casualties were reported, though Romanian authorities evacuated over 1,300 people from nearby beaches and established a 1-km safety zone.

Nicușor Dan, President of Romania, attributed the incursions to Russian electronic warfare jamming that caused the Ukrainian Navy to lose control of the assets. The incident follows a pattern of instability in the region, including a Russian drone strike on an apartment building in Galati on May 29. While the Russian Embassy in Bucharest denied responsibility and accused Ukraine of using drones for terrorist acts, EU leaders including Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa condemned the events as direct consequences of Russia's aggression.

In the aftermath, President Dan inspected the port and requested a NATO session on Black Sea security starting June 10 to address low-profile naval drone threats. Simultaneously, the broader conflict escalated as Vladimir Putin rejected a peace proposal and request for face-to-face talks from Volodymyr Zelenskyy, insisting that Ukraine must first stop the advance of Russian forces. The EU has responded by investing in anti-drone capabilities through the SAFE initiative.