Third Suspected Russian Reconnaissance Drone Crashes in Western Türkiye

An unidentified unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) crashed in western Türkiye’s Balıkesir province, prompting a security investigation by Turkish authorities. Open-source analysts say the aircraft may be a Russian-made Merlin-VR long-range reconnaissance drone, though officials have not confirmed its origin. The incident comes amid reports of increased unmanned aerial activity near Türkiye’s borders and coastal waters.

An unidentified unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) crashed in an empty field in the Manyas district of Balıkesir, according to local reports and open-source intelligence assessments.

The aircraft was recovered largely intact and transferred to Ankara for detailed technical examination, analysts said. Turkish authorities have not issued an official statement confirming the drone’s origin, operator or mission.

OSINT Analysts Point to Russian Merlin-VR

Based on imagery and visible structural characteristics, open-source intelligence (OSINT) analysts assess that the UAV may be a Merlin-VR, a Russian-made intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) platform used by Russian forces.

The Merlin-VR is believed to have an operational range of up to 600 kilometres and an endurance of around 10 hours, enabling extended monitoring missions well beyond active front lines. The system is designed with reduced acoustic and radar signatures, making it suitable for long-duration reconnaissance over land and maritime environments.

Officials are also examining whether the aircraft could be linked to other Russian reconnaissance platforms, including the Orlan-10, which has previously been involved in crashes outside active combat zones.

No Official Confirmation from Turkish Authorities

Turkish security officials have so far not confirmed the UAV’s nationality or mission profile. The investigation is continuing, and authorities are assessing technical data, onboard systems and flight characteristics recovered from the wreckage.

The crash follows a similar UAV incident reported a day earlier near İzmit, raising questions among analysts about a potential increase in unmanned aerial activity near Türkiye’s airspace and coastline. No official link has been established between the two incidents.

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Shadow Fleet and Maritime Surveillance Claims

According to OSINT assessments, the recent uptick in Russian drone activity near Türkiye may be connected to efforts to monitor and protect Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” of oil tankers operating near Turkish waters.

These vessels, often characterised by opaque ownership structures, have drawn international scrutiny as Ukraine seeks to disrupt Russian maritime logistics and energy exports. Analysts say the deployment of long-range ISR drones would be consistent with broader maritime and strategic surveillance, including tracking shipping routes, monitoring naval movements and assessing risks to commercial and military assets in the Black Sea and eastern Mediterranean.

Security Implications for Türkiye and NATO

Türkiye has previously taken a firm stance against unauthorised aerial activity near its borders, particularly when national airspace or sensitive maritime zones are involved. Officials say the findings from the ongoing technical analysis could inform future security or diplomatic responses, depending on the conclusions reached.

With this incident, Türkiye joins a growing list of NATO member states that have encountered cases involving Russian unmanned aerial systems beyond active war zones.

Source: Defense News, Moscow Times

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