Defense Minister: Romania's military not responsible for port security

Romania's interim Defense Minister Radu Miruță has clarified that the National Defense Ministry (MApN) is not responsible for securing ports, following an incident where a Ukrainian drone detonated in Constanța port.

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MApN does not guard the port. It supports national security elements.

Miruță explained that while army radar systems effectively detect ships and aerial targets, they cannot identify very small maritime drones, some measuring as little as 80 centimeters. "MApN does not guard the port. It supports national security elements," he stated, emphasizing that port access control and traffic monitoring fall under the purview of the Naval Authority and Border Police.

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On the sea, MApN, in the airspace, sees everything. It is a flat area. It sees ships. Drones with a height of up to 80 centimeters, on the sea, are not seen by MApN radars.

The minister also noted that the exact explosive payload of the drone could not be determined since it self-detonated. He added that Romanian authorities are in dialogue with Ukraine to establish clearer procedures for such incidents. The drone incident prompted precautionary measures along the coast, including temporary evacuations in several resorts due to fears of further threats in the Black Sea region.

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Given that the drone self-detonated, the exact quantity of explosives it was carrying cannot be determined. It could carry up to 500 kilograms.