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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed solidarity with Romania following recent drone-related incidents, describing them as a direct consequence of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
In a post on X, cited by UATV English, von der Leyen commented on the explosion of a maritime drone in the Romanian port city of Constanța on June 5. The incident came just a week after a Russian drone crashed into a residential building in Galați.
“This is a direct consequence of Russia’s war against Ukraine. It is increasingly becoming a direct threat to countries on our eastern border. Our solidarity with every member state exposed to these threats is unwavering,” von der Leyen said.
She stressed that the European Union’s response must match the seriousness of the situation. According to the Commission president, Europe is investing heavily in counter-drone capabilities, air defense systems, and early-warning technologies. She also highlighted the SAFE rearmament program, under which EU member states can access loans to purchase defense equipment.
“SAFE will help build a stronger Romania. And a stronger Europe,” she added.
On Friday, the port of Constanța was evacuated after a maritime drone exploded there. Authorities have not yet disclosed the drone’s origin or type, although Romania’s Defense Ministry suggested that it could have been Ukrainian. Maritime drones in the Black Sea are primarily used by Ukraine’s Defense Forces.
Romanian President Nicușor Dan said he was informed about the explosion while traveling to Montenegro for the EU–Western Balkans summit.
Referring to the incident, Dan stated that authorities are investigating how the drone entered the port and assessing any additional risks.
“The circumstances under which the drone entered the port and any potential additional risks are currently being analyzed. The relevant authorities will provide updates on the progress of the investigation,” he said.
The Romanian president stressed that the country would maintain a heightened level of vigilance given the regional security environment. He also echoed von der Leyen’s assessment that such incidents are a direct consequence of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
“As a NATO member state with access to the Black Sea, we will continue to work closely with our allies and take all necessary measures to protect our citizens and national interests,” Dan said.
On the night of May 29, a Russian attack drone struck the roof of an apartment building in Galați, causing an explosion that breached the structure and sparked a fire in a top-floor apartment corridor. Two residents were injured.
The incident was the most serious case to date involving Russian attack drones entering Romanian territory.
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