Türkiye shoots down drone over Black Sea, ministry confirms

Türkiye’s Ministry of Defense reported shooting down an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) over the Black Sea.

The ministry posted on social media platform X that the military detected “an aerial target approaching Turkish airspace” over the sea and tracked it with the help of a NATO-designated F-16, Caliber.Az reports.

The object was later identified as a drone that had lost control and was neutralized in a safe area away from residential zones.

Türkiye and NATO allies have been increasingly concerned about escalation of hostilities in the Black Sea due to Russia’s war in Ukraine, with strikes on commercial vessels, including Turkish‑linked ships, raising fears of conflict spillover and threats to freedom of navigation. 

Ankara has pushed for security talks and limited navigation safety agreements to reduce risks, proposing truces on energy and port attacks and hosting meetings aimed at preventing the Black Sea from becoming a broader confrontation zone. 

At recent NATO forums, Türkiye, Bulgaria and Romania pledged solidarity on Black Sea security, stressing adherence to international law and the Montreux Convention to ensure the region remains stable and peaceful. 

Sustained diplomatic efforts include multilateral discussions on maritime safety and potential post‑war security frameworks, reflecting Ankara’s attempt to balance relations with both Moscow and Kyiv while protecting its own strategic interests. 

By Jeyhun Aghazada