Explosive-laden jet ski discovered near Istanbul beach, linked to Ukraine navy

"Turkish rescue workers in the Çatalca district of Istanbul province found a jet ski with explosives, allegedly belonging to Ukraine," reported the İHA news agency. The jet ski has several cameras, sensors, and "military equipment."

Rescuers on the beach in the Çatalca district noticed the drifting jet ski on Thursday morning. Upon closer inspection, they saw that it was equipped with "unusual equipment" and reported it to the gendarmerie. Technicians arrived at the scene.

So far, it is "believed that the jet ski, which is assumed to belong to the Ukrainian navy, has drifted and reached Istanbul's Çatalca beach" – reads the statement.

The Turkish navy and bomb technicians cordoned off the beach and then brought the jet ski to shore. In addition to explosives, several cameras were installed on the jet ski. By military decision, the device was delivered to one of the units, where it will be thoroughly examined.

According to Turkish media, the jet ski is one of many used by the Security Service of Ukraine or military intelligence to conduct attacks on targets in the Black Sea. Contact with the device may have been lost during the last Ukrainian attack on Novorossiysk.

This is where Russian dictator Vladimir Putin evacuated the Black Sea Fleet from occupied Crimea. The Russian naval base in Novorossiysk on the eastern coast of the Black Sea does not have as extensive facilities as Sevastopol.

Ukraine has destroyed or damaged 27 warships, including five that were destroyed by sea mines placed by Ukrainian maritime drones near Sevastopol Bay.

Novorossiysk is the largest port on the Black Sea in Russia, and it is crucial for exporting oil and petroleum products in the region. Oil from Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan is also loaded there. The port handles grain, coal, mineral fertilizers, timber, food, and chemicals shipments.