Unexploded Russian Drone Found In Istanbul Waters, Coast Guard Investigates

Fishermen off Karaburun in Istanbul’s Arnavutkoy district discovered an unexploded drone in the sea on Thursday, authorities said.

The Turkish Coast Guard confirmed the object was an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and sent a Special Operations (SAS) team to secure it.

The team analysed the drone and destroyed it.

Türkiye Today reported that the drone is likely a Russian-made Geran-2, based on Iran’s Shahed-136 kamikaze UAV.

Officials have not yet confirmed the drone’s ownership, as investigations are ongoing.

#UPDATE ─ Initial analysis by Türkiye Today identifies object as Russian-made Geran-2, derived from Iran’s Shahed-136 kamikaze drone, as coast guard probe continues pic.twitter.com/X4R3t3lgEr

— Türkiye Today (@turkiyetodaycom) February 5, 2026

Video Credits: Türkiye Today/X

This is not the first drone-related incident in Turkey. In recent weeks, several drones have either crashed or been shot down after entering Turkish airspace.

Last December, Turkey shot down a drone that violated its airspace and recovered two more drones over five days.

In July of last year, authorities found a three-metre-long drone that resembled a jet ski and was reported to be carrying explosives.

Security concerns have also affected commercial shipping in the Black Sea. Late last year and in January, some vessels reported being hit by unknown objects, causing explosions and, in some cases, fires.

Ukraine claimed responsibility for a few attacks on tankers heading to Russia, but other incidents remain officially unsolved.

Some tankers have been navigating closer to the Turkish coastline for added protection while heading to Russian terminals.

Reference: turkiyetoday

Source: Maritime Shipping News