Turkey reinforces warning as Black Sea tensions escalate after drone incident

Saturday 20 December 2025 - 09:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Turkey reinforces warning as Black Sea tensions escalate after drone incident

Turkey has intensified its warnings to both Russia and Ukraine following the downing of an unidentified drone over its territory, underscoring its determination to prevent the Black Sea from becoming a new theater of conflict. The drone, which entered from the Black Sea on December 15, was destroyed by Turkish F-16 jets after it crossed into Turkish airspace through the Kastamonu corridor and continued uncontrollably toward central Anatolia. Officials later confirmed that the aircraft was neutralized near Cankiri to avoid civilian damage.

Days later, another drone believed to be a Russian-made Orlan-10 reconnaissance model was found crashed in northwestern Turkey, raising further concerns about airspace security. The discovery has amplified Ankara’s calls for restraint among Black Sea neighbors, as both Kyiv and Moscow intensify naval and aerial activity in the region.

In recent weeks, Ukrainian forces have carried out drone attacks targeting Russian “shadow fleet” tankers used to transport oil despite Western sanctions. In response, Russian strikes have hit Ukraine’s southern ports, inflicting damage on Turkish-owned cargo vessels operating in the area. The shelling of the Cenk T ship in Odesa drew condemnation from Ukrainian officials, who stressed the vessel’s civilian purpose.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reaffirmed Turkey’s stance as a mediator and guarantor of regional stability, reminding parties of the 1936 Montreux Convention, which grants Ankara authority over the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits. He emphasized that the Black Sea must remain a secure maritime zone, not an arena for rivalry. Turkey has since initiated diplomatic consultations with fellow Black Sea states, including Bulgaria and Romania, alongside NATO partners, to reinforce coordinated maritime security measures.