A Romanian Air Force F-16 fighter jet destroyed a small, explosive-laden maritime drone in the Black Sea on Wednesday, striking the target several hundred metres from the Neptun Deep gas field inside Romania's exclusive economic zone. A commercial vessel first spotted the drifting drone around 06:28, approximately 80 nautical miles east of Constanța, prompting the deployment of two F-16s, one of which fired its onboard cannon to neutralise the threat. Defence Minister Radu Miruță confirmed the drone was packed with explosives.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen denounced the incident as part of a "hybrid warfare" campaign against the European Union, warning of an "escalating campaign of threats". Romanian President Nicușor Dan blamed Russia for the incident.
Meanwhile, massive Russian strikes on the Kyiv region killed at least 12 people and wounded more than 30, with Mayor Vitali Klitschko declaring a day of mourning for Friday. Separately, Ukraine's parliament approved Yevhenii Khmara as the country's new defence minister.