Unexploded Drone Found in Waters Near Istanbul
The Turkish Coast Guard Command confirmed it was investigating the latest incident of an unexploded drone found in its waters. Earlier in Russia’s war with Ukraine, the concern had been errant mines, but more recently, Turkey is reporting a series of incidents with drones that have either crashed into its region or been spotted floating in the waters of the Black Sea.
The latest incident happened midday on Thursday, February 5, when a group of Turkish fishermen reported finding an unidentified device in the water. They were near Karaburun, in a district on the northwestern side of Istanbul.
Investigation and Neutralization
The fishermen notified the Coast Guard Command, which sent a SAS team to investigate. According to media reports, the team confirmed the object was an unmanned aerial vehicle. The team secured and neutralized the device, analyzing it before destroying the UAV.
Turkey Today is reporting that it believes the device was a Russian-made Geran-2, based on the Iranian Shahed-136, a kamikaze aerial drone. The Coast Guard would only say that it was continuing to investigate the device.
Recent Incidents and Concerns
Last July, Turkish officials confirmed the discovery of a 3-meter-long drone that looked a bit like a jet ski. Reports said it was carrying explosives. Since then, Turkey Today reports several other recent discoveries. In December, it says Turkey shot down a drone that violated its airspace. Over a five-day period, the newspaper says two more drones were found that had crashed in Turkey.
Concerns were raised because late last year and in January, a number of commercial vessels reported being struck by unknown objects, causing explosions and, in some cases, fires. Ukraine took credit for attacks on a few tankers heading to Russia, but the other incidents officially remain unsolved. Recently, it was reported that tankers were attempting to hug the Turkish coastline for added protection as they headed to the Russian terminals in the eastern Black Sea.
Maritime Community Reacts
The maritime community is closely following these developments, with many wondering what could be behind the sudden surge in drone sightings and attacks. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Turkey will respond to these incidents and whether international cooperation can help mitigate the risks posed by these unmanned aerial vehicles.
Original Article: Turkish Fishermen Find Unexploded Drone in Waters Near Istanbul — The Maritime Executive