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Fishermen in northern Türkiye hauled in an unmanned surface vessel (USV) off the coast of Trabzon that authorities said contained explosives and was reportedly used in kamikaze attacks against Russia’s navy by Ukraine, officials said Tuesday.
The drone boat, believed to carry about 300 kilograms (660 pounds) of explosives, was found near Yoroz Port in the Carsibasi district of Trabzon. The port was closed to entry and exit for security reasons, authorities said.
During the night, fishermen spotted what they initially thought was a small fiberglass boat drifting about 800 meters offshore, said a Turkish fisherman Halil Ibrahim Bozok.
“When we lifted it with our crane, we realized it was a military unmanned vessel,” Bozok told reporters. “We thought there might be something inside, but since nothing exploded while lifting it, we brought it ashore hanging on the side of our boat.”
The vessel was secured at the port under the coordination of the Eastern Black Sea Coast Guard Command.
In a written statement, the Trabzon Governor’s Office said: “Fishermen operating off Yoroz Port in Carsibasi district found a foreign-origin object entangled in their nets. The object was brought to port, necessary security measures were taken, and the Navy’s Underwater Defense (SAS) teams and other security units were notified.”
The statement urged citizens not to touch suspicious objects at sea and to alert security forces immediately.
Ismail Yilmaz, head of the Fenerkoy Fisheries Cooperative, said the coast guard initially left the vessel at the pier until bomb disposal teams arrived.
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“I came to the port around 2 a.m. The bomb squad arrived and examined it. We closed the port to fishermen’s entry and exit. The bomb disposal team that came in the morning is continuing its investigations,” Yilmaz said.
Authorities said the vessel has been secured in a safe location for detailed technical examination. The investigation remains ongoing.
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