site.btaRomania, Ukraine Discuss Protocol to Prevent Drone Incidents

Romania is negotiating a protocol with Ukraine aimed at preventing drone-related incidents similar to the recent explosion in the Black Sea port of Constanta, Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu said in an interview with public broadcaster TVR.

Under the proposed arrangements, Ukraine would notify the Romanian authorities if it loses control of a drone and adjust such devices to self-destruct before entering Romanian territorial waters.

Toiu said the dialogue, initiated by the two countries' defence ministries immediately after the Constanta incident, is focused on preventing similar occurrences and minimizing risks.

She said the two sides are discussing an early warning mechanism under which Ukraine would alert Romania if it loses contact with or control of a drone.

The protocol also envisages programming drones so that their self-destruct function cannot be activated in Romanian territorial waters, where such explosions could pose a security risk. The document is expected to establish procedures for timely information exchange and joint measures to prevent future incidents.

On June 5, a naval drone exploded in the port of Constanta, damaging a vessel and a nearby building but causing no casualties. Romanian Defence Minister Radu Miruta later said Ukraine had warned Romania 10 to 15 minutes before the explosion that the drone was carrying explosives, allowing emergency personnel to withdraw from the area.

Previous week, Ukraine provided Romania with additional information about the incident, saying it was an isolated case most likely caused by Russian electronic warfare measures, according to the Romanian Defence Ministry.