Romania Destroys Ukrainian-Made Sea Drone in Black Sea

Romanian Navy Neutralizes Stray Ukrainian Sea Baby Drone

In a significant maritime security operation, the Romanian Navy has destroyed a Ukrainian-made 'Sea Baby' unmanned surface vehicle (USV) in the Black Sea. The incident occurred on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, approximately 36 nautical miles (66 kilometers) east of the port city of Constanta. Romanian defense officials stated the drone posed a 'danger to navigation' and was neutralized through a controlled explosion by military divers from the 39th Diving Centre.

Background: Escalating Drone Warfare in the Black Sea

The Sea Baby drone is a key component of Ukraine's asymmetric naval warfare strategy against Russia. Developed by Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) after Russia's 2022 invasion, this 6-meter long drone can carry explosive payloads up to 850 kg and has an operational range of at least 1,000 km. According to Wikipedia, the Sea Baby has been used in several high-profile attacks, including strikes on the Crimean Bridge and Russian warships.

The Romanian operation comes amid heightened tensions following recent Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil tankers. Just days earlier, on November 28, 2025, Ukrainian Sea Baby drones struck two Russian shadow fleet tankers - the Kairos and Virat - near the Turkish coast. BBC reported that these attacks targeted Russia's ability to circumvent Western oil sanctions.

Romania's Response and Regional Security Concerns

Romanian Defense Ministry spokesperson Colonel Constantin Spinu told Reuters: 'Our forces identified an unmanned surface vehicle drifting in international waters that presented a clear hazard to commercial shipping. Following established protocols, we conducted a controlled detonation to eliminate the threat.'

Romania, a NATO member since 2004, has been actively monitoring the Black Sea since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The country has experience dealing with maritime threats, having neutralized approximately 150 naval mines over the past four years. Romania Insider reported that Ukraine's SBU denied ownership of the specific drone, stating all operational Sea Baby drones were accounted for.

Technical Analysis of the Sea Baby Drone

The Sea Baby represents a new generation of naval warfare technology. According to Defence UA, recent upgrades include a remotely controlled 7.62mm machine gun turret, 122mm artillery rocket capabilities, and mine-laying systems. The drone can reach speeds up to 90 km/h and has evolved from a simple kamikaze boat to a sophisticated multirole platform.

Naval analyst Maria Petrova commented: 'The Sea Baby's appearance in Romanian waters highlights the unpredictable nature of modern naval warfare. These drones can drift for hundreds of kilometers after completing missions or experiencing technical failures, creating new security challenges for coastal states.'

Regional Implications and Future Outlook

The incident underscores the complex security dynamics in the Black Sea region. Turkey, which controls access to the Mediterranean via the Bosporus Strait, has expressed concern about drone attacks occurring within its Exclusive Economic Zone. Kazakhstan has also protested recent attacks, as they threaten the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal at Novorossiysk, which handles 80% of Kazakh crude exports.

As Naval News reported, Ukraine appears to be testing international tolerance for these attacks while aiming to blockade Russian oil exports. The Russian Black Sea Fleet, having suffered significant losses to Ukrainian attacks since 2022, remains largely confined to port at Novorossiysk.

The Romanian operation demonstrates NATO's growing concern about maritime security in the Black Sea. With commercial shipping increasingly at risk from drifting drones, mines, and military debris, regional cooperation on maritime safety has become more critical than ever.