Turkish Defense Ministry: The drone found on the Black Sea coast most likely belonged to Russia
The discovery is the latest in a series of incidents involving drones in Turkish airspace. In December 2025, three drones crashed or were shot down within five days within or near Turkey's borders.
Where was the drone found?
Did the drone contain explosives?
What incidents occurred in December 2025?
Who warned Russia and Ukraine after the incidents?
On December 15, the Ministry of Defense announced that F-16 fighters shot down a stray drone approaching Turkish airspace from the Black Sea. Four days later, the Turkish Interior Ministry announced that another drone had been shot down in the northwestern city of Kocaeli and may have been Russian. On December 20, a third drone crashed in Balikesir in northwestern Turkey.
Defense officials previously said both Russia and Ukraine had been warned following the incidents. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also warned against preventing the Black Sea from becoming a confrontation zone, given recent attacks on shipping in the region, including the damage to a Turkish-operated ship near Odessa, Ukraine, in December.
