Turkey – USV recovered off the coast of Istanbul

A modified Yamaha ‘Wave Runner’ jet ski was found drifting off the coast of Turkey near Catalca, Istanbul on 25 July 2024. Local authorities claim the USV was spotted at around 12:00 local time. Turkish Coast Guard and Gendarmerie teams were dispatched to the scene, cordoning off the area. According to an official press release from T.C. Istanbul Valiligi, the USV is suspected to have come from the north of the Black Sea.

Images and videos circulating online suggest the USV was fitted with a combined electro-optical infrared sensor turret and a Starlink antenna, possibly for communication purposes. Sources claim the explosive-laden USV belonged to the Ukrainian Navy, however, no official claims have yet confirmed this information.