The Turkish Ministry of National Defence reported the discovery of a Russian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) on the shores of the Ünye district in Ordu province on February 10. Following the finding, a special forces team was immediately dispatched to the site to collect the drone and transfer it for further examination by police. Notably, the UAV did not contain explosives, and its presumed ownership by Russia aligns with previous incidents where Russian drones were found in Turkish territory.

This retrieval marks yet another instance of a Russian drone being found in Türkiye, continuing a trend observed over the past few months. In December, a similar incident occurred when a Russian Orlan-10 reconnaissance drone was discovered in Kocaeli province, highlighting ongoing tensions and airspace violations in the region. Prior to this, Turkish fighter jets had to intercept an out-of-control drone originating from the Black Sea, a move that underscored Türkiye's vigilance and response to aerial threats in its airspace.

The recurring presence of Russian drones in Türkiye may have broader implications for the already complex geopolitical climate between Russia and Ukraine, particularly given Türkiye's unique position as a mediator in the conflict. The Turkish government has sought to maintain a balance between its relationships with both Russia and Ukraine, making such incidents critical points of concern for diplomatic relations going forward.