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(https://link.the-sun.com/join/sailthru-new-enter-email) Newsletters  (https://jobs.the-sun.com/?source=navbar&utm_source=navbar&utm_medium=partner_referral) US Jobs      (https://www.the-sun.com/news/us-news/) US News  (https://www.the-sun.com/news/world-news/) World News  (https://www.the-sun.com/news/uk-news/) UK News  (https://www.the-sun.com/news/politics/) Politics              (https://www.the-sun.com/news/) News  (https://www.the-sun.com/news/world-news/) World News   DRONE BLASTED  Nato jet destroys drone ‘loaded with explosives’ metres from Black Sea gas project as ‘irresponsible’ Russia slammed    (https://www.thesun.co.uk/author/georgie-english/) Georgie English  , Senior Foreign News Reporter   Published:  08:16, 20 Aug 2026  | Updated:  10:41, 20 Aug 2026    (https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=https://www.the-sun.com)       Add us as a preferred source           (https://x.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.the-sun.com%2Fnews%2F16868829%2Fnato-jet-shoots-drone-loaded-explosives-black-sea&text=Nato%20jet%20destroys%20'explosive-laden'%20drone%20metres%20from%20Black%20Sea%20gas%20project) Share on X (Opens in new window) X   (https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.the-sun.com%2Fnews%2F16868829%2Fnato-jet-shoots-drone-loaded-explosives-black-sea&t=Nato%20jet%20destroys%20'explosive-laden'%20drone%20metres%20from%20Black%20Sea%20gas%20project) Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook     (16868829.html#thesun-openweb-comments-container)   5 comments 5    NATO scrambled fighter jets to destroy a marine drone reportedly loaded with explosives spotted close to a crucial Black Sea gas project. (https://www.the-sun.com/where/romania/) Romania  spotted the threat around Neptun Deep and quickly sent out F-16 jets to blast away the drone as officials accused Russia of being behind the dangerous act. (16868829.html#) (Open a slideshow of all 4 article images.) (Romania destroys marine drone, minister says)  4     The marine drone which Romanian Defence Minister Radu Miruta said was destroyed by F-16 fighter jets Credit: Reuters   (16868829.html#) (Open a slideshow of all 4 article images.) (Romania destroys drones drifting near major offshore gas project in the Black Sea)  4     Earlier this month, Romania destroyed two Gerbera-type drones drifting in the exclusive economic zone near the Neptun Deep project Credit: Reuters   Advertisement   The drone got within a few hundred meters from the platform before it was targeted. Defence Minister Radu Miruta said they had no choice but to intercept the drone “in order to protect the lives of the several hundred people working on the platform”. Sign up for The US Sun newsletter   Thank you!    (thesuncom) (c14047cad1)  (/news/16868829/)  (news) () Email address      Please provide a valid email.    (Sign up)   Your info will be used in accordance with our (https://newsprivacy.co.uk/) Privacy Policy   You'll now receive top stories, breaking news, and more, straight to your email.   (1)     The huge Neptun Deep project is expected to make Romania the European Union’s largest gas producer when it comes onstream in 2027. The offshore site is feared to have become a target due to its vital future role in global gas trade which has been severely hampered since the Ukraine war. Read more in Romania   (https://www.the-sun.com/news/16848940/nato-jet-shoots-down-drone-ukraine-missile-attack/)   DRONE ALERT Nato fighter jet shoots down drone in Romania as one killed in Ukraine strikes     (https://www.the-sun.com/news/16742412/romania-shoots-drone-putin-incursions-nato/)   DRONE BLASTED Romania shoots down 'Russian drone' with F-16 fighter jet for first time ever        Earlier this month, Romanian army divers were also deployed to destroy two Gerbera-type drones drifting in the exclusive economic zone near the project. Huge explosions were seen on the water as the drones were blasted with debris sent flying through the air. Miruta didn’t say who he believed was behind the maritime scare but did confirm Ukraine said it wasn’t associated with their forces. Romanian President Nicusor Dan quickly blamed Russia for today’s intrusion.  Advertisement   Most read in The US Sun  (https://www.the-sun.com/news/16894330/donald-trump-lake-ontario-canada-trade-war/) ()     FLOATING POSSIBILITY Trump considering renaming Lake Ontario as Canada trade war escalates     (https://www.the-sun.com/news/16894317/raging-bulls-kill-injure-spectators-hurled-air/) (An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows A bull fighting festival in which a bull attacks a female spectator, Image 2 shows A bull throws a person in the air as spectators watch from a red barrier)     SAVAGED BY BEASTS Raging bulls kill two with spectators hurled into air as beasts set loose     (https://www.the-sun.com/news/16892785/texas-roadhouse-addresses-abhorrent-behavior-food-tampering/) ()     'COMPLETELY UNFOUNDED'  Texas Roadhouse addresses ‘alleged abhorrent behavior’ to diners     (https://www.the-sun.com/news/16893193/karoline-leavitt-birthday-gift-husband-nicholas-riccio-louis-vuitton/) (An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Trump Press Secretary, Image 2 shows NINTCHDBPICT001103311725)     PRICEY PRESS-ENT Karoline Leavitt's pricey 29th birthday gift from husband, 60, revealed        (16868829.html#) (Open a slideshow of all 4 article images.) (Romania destroys drones drifting near major offshore gas project in the Black Sea)  4     Huge explosions were seen on the water as the  Gerbera-type drones were blasted with debris sent flying through the air Credit: Reuters   (16868829.html#) (Open a slideshow of all 4 article images.) (Transocean Barents oil rig at Neptun Deep, Romania.)  4     The huge Neptun Deep project is expected to make Romania the European Union’s largest gas producer when it comes onstream in 2027 Credit: (http://www.omvpetrom.com) http://www.omvpetrom.com    He said: “I strongly condemn the intensification of these types of irresponsible incidents on the part of the Russian Federation. “We remain vigilant alongside Nato allies to defend ourselves and repel such challenges.” Nato states Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey have neutralised more than 150 mines drifting across trade lanes in the Black Sea in recent years.  Advertisement   The three states have now agreed to expand a joint task force that patrols the water clearing mines to now include missions to protect critical infrastructure.  Neptun Deep is jointly owned by OMV Petrom and state gas producer Romgaz. Romania shares a 382-mile land border with Ukraine and has seen Russian drones breaching its airspace over the last four years of war. The latest came overnight when a drone entered Romanian airspace near Galati before crashing in an unpopulated area in the county of Tulcea. Two Spanish F-18 aircraft and a Romanian helicopter were later deployed to protect the border. Advertisement   A raging European Commission chief (https://www.the-sun.com/who/ursula-von-der-leyen/) Ursula von der Leyen slammed a “hybrid warfare” campaign against the bloc earlier today. She said: “An escalating campaign of threats is underway, unsettling our citizens and seeking to divide our Union.” Von der Leyen warned the EU must step up its defence plans to be able to “deter provocation and aggression”. She fell short of directly blaming (https://www.the-sun.com/who/vladimir-putin/) Vladimir Putin ‘s Russia.  RECOMMENDED STORIES        Back in June, a Ukrainian sea drone on a Black Sea mission (https://www.the-sun.com/news/16456971/romania-port-rocked-blast-drone-explodes/) lost control and exploded at a major Romanian port. Advertisement   Kyiv quickly accused Russia of jamming the drone and causing the dangerous blast. (16868829.html#thesun-openweb-comments-container)   5 comments 5      Topics (https://www.the-sun.com/topic/nato/) NATO   (https://www.the-sun.com/topic/ukraine-war/) Ukraine war   (https://www.the-sun.com/where/romania/) Romania   (https://www.the-sun.com/where/russia/) Russia            YOU MIGHT LIKE             YOU MIGHT LIKE                                       RECOMMENDED FOR YOU              MORE FOR YOU              MORE FROM THE SUN (https://www.the-sun.com/news/16894330/donald-trump-lake-ontario-canada-trade-war/) ()        (https://www.the-sun.com/news/16894330/donald-trump-lake-ontario-canada-trade-war/)    FLOATING POSSIBILITY Trump considering renaming Lake Ontario as Canada trade war escalates  AFTER trade talks with Canada collapsed, President Donald Trump said he is seriously considering changing the name of the body of water bordering New York State as he does not anticipate doing business with Ontario.   (https://www.the-sun.com/news/) News        (https://www.the-sun.com/news/16894330/donald-trump-lake-ontario-canada-trade-war/)   (https://www.the-sun.com/news/16894317/raging-bulls-kill-injure-spectators-hurled-air/) ()        (https://www.the-sun.com/news/16894317/raging-bulls-kill-injure-spectators-hurled-air/)    SAVAGED BY BEASTS Raging bulls kill two with spectators hurled into air as beasts set loose  TERRIFYING footage showed a woman attempting to flee the animal as it charged at her, before it flips her in the air.    (https://www.the-sun.com/news/) News    (https://www.the-sun.com/news/16894317/raging-bulls-kill-injure-spectators-hurled-air#thesun-openweb-comments-container)   1       (https://www.the-sun.com/news/16894317/raging-bulls-kill-injure-spectators-hurled-air/)   (https://www.the-sun.com/news/16892785/texas-roadhouse-addresses-abhorrent-behavior-food-tampering/) ()        (https://www.the-sun.com/news/16892785/texas-roadhouse-addresses-abhorrent-behavior-food-tampering/)    'COMPLETELY UNFOUNDED'  Texas Roadhouse addresses ‘alleged abhorrent behavior’ to diners  The restaurant giant has launched an investigation after disturbing allegations spread across social media - but says it has found no credible evidence to back them up.   (https://www.the-sun.com/news/) News    (https://www.the-sun.com/news/16892785/texas-roadhouse-addresses-abhorrent-behavior-food-tampering#thesun-openweb-comments-container)         (https://www.the-sun.com/news/16892785/texas-roadhouse-addresses-abhorrent-behavior-food-tampering/)   (https://www.the-sun.com/news/16893193/karoline-leavitt-birthday-gift-husband-nicholas-riccio-louis-vuitton/) ()        (https://www.the-sun.com/news/16893193/karoline-leavitt-birthday-gift-husband-nicholas-riccio-louis-vuitton/)    PRICEY PRESS-ENT Karoline Leavitt's pricey 29th birthday gift from husband, 60, revealed  The outgoing press secretary celebrated turning 29 with luxury gifts from real estate developer Nicholas Riccio, 60, during an emotional week of farewells.   (https://www.the-sun.com/news/) News    (https://www.the-sun.com/news/16893193/karoline-leavitt-birthday-gift-husband-nicholas-riccio-louis-vuitton#thesun-openweb-comments-container)         (https://www.the-sun.com/news/16893193/karoline-leavitt-birthday-gift-husband-nicholas-riccio-louis-vuitton/)                 (Romania destroys marine drone, minister says)   The marine drone which Romanian Defence Minister Radu Miruta said was destroyed by F-16 fighter jets Credit: Reuters   (Romania destroys drones drifting near major offshore gas project in the Black Sea)   Earlier this month, Romania destroyed two Gerbera-type drones drifting in the exclusive economic zone near the Neptun Deep project Credit: Reuters   (Romania destroys drones drifting near major offshore gas project in the Black Sea)   Huge explosions were seen on the water as the  Gerbera-type drones were blasted with debris sent flying through the air Credit: Reuters   (Transocean Barents oil rig at Neptun Deep, Romania.)   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