Bulgaria: Unknown drone explodes near Romanian border

A drone entered Bulgarian airspace from the north on Saturday morning and exploded near the Romanian border, according to Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev. The incident occurred in a sunflower field 100 meters from the Romanian border and about 1,000 meters from a compressor station on the Trans-Balkan gas pipeline route. No casualties or damage to infrastructure were reported.

Neither Romania nor Bulgaria had detected the drone prior to the explosion, which produced a strong blast and black smoke, suggesting it may have carried a significant amount of explosives. The Bulgarian Defense Ministry identified the drone as a type commonly used by the Ukrainian military, but its exact origin remains unclear.

Bulgaria has summoned the Ukrainian ambassador to discuss the incident, which is the latest in a series of drones straying into NATO airspace amid Ukraine's war against Russia. Romania, also affected by drone incursions, has faced similar incidents, including a crash on its territory in May. The incident will be raised at an upcoming meeting of the North Atlantic Council.