Unexploded Drone Found Near Istanbul by Turkish Fishermen, Coast Guard Investigates

Turkish fishermen discovered an unexploded drone in the waters near Karaburun, a district on the northwestern side of Istanbul, prompting an investigation by the Turkish Coast Guard Command. The incident occurred midday on Thursday, February 5, when the fishermen spotted an unidentified device in the sea and immediately notified the authorities. A specialized SAS team was dispatched to secure and neutralize the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), which was later destroyed after analysis.

Reports suggest the drone is a Russian-made Geran-2, derived from the Iranian Shahed-136 kamikaze drone. Turkish officials confirmed the device is under continued investigation, though details remain limited.

This marks the latest in a series of incidents involving drones in Turkish waters, which have increased since Russia’s war with Ukraine. Earlier threats primarily involved errant mines, but more recently, drones have been spotted either crashing into the region or floating in the Black Sea. Last July, a three-meter-long drone resembling a jet ski was found carrying explosives. In December and January, additional drones were discovered or shot down after violating Turkish airspace.

The incidents have raised concerns for commercial shipping, as a number of vessels were reportedly struck by unknown objects, causing explosions and fires. Ukraine has claimed responsibility for some attacks on tankers heading to Russia, while other cases remain unresolved. Recently, some tankers reportedly adjusted their routes to follow the Turkish coastline more closely for added safety while navigating to Russian terminals in the eastern Black Sea.