Overview
- The Defence Ministry said F-16s were scrambled under NATO and national command after routine tracking of a drone heading toward Turkish airspace from the Black Sea.
- Officials assessed the target as an unmanned aircraft that had gone out of control and ordered it downed in a safe area outside populated zones.
- Turkish media reported the drone fell over land, with identification to be confirmed after recovery of wreckage.
- The incident follows reported strikes that set Russia-linked tankers ablaze off Türkiye on Nov. 28 and another attack on Dec. 2 during the Russia–Ukraine conflict.
- Ankara has increased surveillance and summoned Russian and Ukrainian envoys, while war-risk insurers have raised premiums for Black Sea shipping.