Unknown drone crashes again in northwestern Turkey

Saturday 20 December 2025 - 14:00

By: Sahili Aya

Unknown drone crashes again in northwestern Turkey

A drone of unidentified origin has been found crashed in a rural area of northwestern Turkey, marking the second such discovery in less than 24 hours and the third reported incident since the beginning of the week, according to Turkish media.

The unmanned aerial vehicle was reportedly located in an empty field near the city of Balikesir, approximately three hours southwest of Istanbul. Images broadcast by several private television channels and published by local newspapers showed the damaged drone with no visible identification markings.

Turkish authorities have not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident. However, local broadcasters reported that the drone was transported to Ankara for technical examination. Farmers cited by the media suggested that the crash may have occurred several days earlier.

The incident follows a similar case reported on Friday, when a drone was discovered in a rural area near Izmit, east of Istanbul and close to the Black Sea coast. Turkish officials later described that drone as likely an Orlan-10, a Russian-made reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft, and announced the launch of an investigation.

Earlier in the week, Turkish air defense forces intercepted and destroyed another drone that had entered the country’s airspace from the Black Sea and was said to be out of control. While its origin was not officially confirmed, defense officials subsequently urged both Ukraine and Russia to exercise greater caution.

Turkey borders the southern coast of the Black Sea and lies between Ukraine and Russia, which remain engaged in an ongoing conflict, raising regional security concerns over repeated drone incidents.