Following the discovery and self-detonation of a maritime drone near the Romanian port of Constanta on Friday, Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasized the urgent need to prepare for further regional escalation.
Maritime Drone Incident in Romania
The Romanian Ministry of Defense reported that an unidentified maritime drone exploded near the port of Constanta on Friday morning. Authorities confirmed the device was of a type currently used in the war in Ukraine and detonated due to a self-destruction mechanism.
Romanian search operations led to the discovery of three such maritime drones. The Ministry of Internal Affairs deployed two helicopters to the area to scan for any additional threats, while the Polish Embassy in Romania confirmed the evacuation of the coast following the implementation of a Red Intervention Plan.
Tusk: Preparing for Unpredictable Risks
Speaking from the EU-Western Balkans summit in Montenegro, Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that the incident came as no surprise to Poland. He noted that he had warned European partners weeks ago that various incidents, whether intentional or accidental, were to be expected.
Tusk added that the overall situation is trending toward escalation and heightened tension. He emphasized that Poland is actively working to remain prepared for these emerging challenges.
EU Response and Security Measures
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the explosion as a direct consequence of Russia’s war against Ukraine, noting that the conflict poses an increasing threat to EU border states. She stressed that the EU’s response must reflect the urgency of the situation.
Von der Leyen highlighted that Europe is investing significantly in anti-drone capabilities, air defense, and early warning systems. The EU’s SAFE rearmament program is intended to bolster the defense capabilities of both Romania and the broader European bloc.