Romanian naval divers have destroyed a drifting Ukrainian Sea Baby naval drone in the Black Sea after identifying it as a threat to shipping, Romania's Ministry of National Defense confirmed on Tuesday. The incident once again highlights the complex security environment in the western Black Sea, where drifting mines, debris, and unmanned systems continue to pose navigation risks for commercial vessels.
According to the Ministry, specialists from the 39th Diving Centre, supported by the MAI 1107 coast guard surveillance vessel, were dispatched to an area roughly 36 nautical miles east of Constanța. The team was tasked with assessing and neutralizing a hazardous floating object detected along a major maritime route used by commercial shipping.
Read more: Ukrainian Sea Baby Drones Hit russian Shadow-Fleet Tankers — Intercepts Reveal Crew Mistook the Strike for an Aerial Attack
Upon arrival, military divers identified the object as the Sea Baby unmanned surface vehicle, Ukrainian-made naval drone known for its long-range strike capabilities against russian naval and port infrastructure. The drone was drifting uncontrolled, creating a navigational hazard in international waters. Following operational procedures, the Romanian Naval Forces obtained clearance to eliminate the object and executed a controlled detonation. By approximately 13:00 local time, the Sea Baby drone had been safely destroyed.
Romania emphasized that the operation was carried out strictly for maritime safety reasons, not in response to any hostile action. The Sea Baby drone was likely separated from its intended mission due to weather, mechanical failure, or combat-related circumstances, an increasing reality as unmanned systems become a defining feature of the naval battlefield in the Black Sea.
Since the beginning of russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Romanian Naval Forces has significantly intensified its monitoring and security efforts in the Black Sea and along the Danube Delta. Naval, air, and coastal assets operate under a constant surveillance posture, often integrated with NATO partners, to ensure that drifting mines, drones, and debris do not threaten commercial routes or Romanian territory.
Romania's Ministry of National Defense noted that more than 12,000 commercial vessels have passed safely through the region since 2022, underscoring the strategic importance of maintaining secure shipping lanes. The country has emerged as a key maritime security provider, particularly as Ukraine relies heavily on the Black Sea corridor for grain exports following russia's attacks on port infrastructure.
Read more: Twin Evolution Revealed: Sea Baby System's Gun and Rocket Variants Linked to the Crimean Bridge Hit Redefine Naval Drones
