Russian Orlan-10 UAV Found on Bulgarian Beach

A Russian Orlan-10 reconnaissance drone was discovered on a beach in Bulgaria.

Bulgaria’s Ministry of Defence reported the find on August 12, releasing photos of the unmanned aerial vehicle.

The drone was spotted by beachgoers on Tuesday morning at Harmani Beach in the coastal town of Sozopol.

They called the emergency number 112. Police arrived at the scene and cordoned off the area.

Around 10:00 a.m., a specialized Bulgarian Navy bomb disposal unit was dispatched to inspect and neutralize the drone.

The military did not specify the name of the UAV that was discovered, referring to it as an ‘unidentified drone.’ However, photos released to the public clearly show that it is a Russian Orlan-10 drone, which the Russian army has been actively using in its war against Ukraine.

According to the Bulgarian military, the broken wings, damage, and condition of the fuselage indicate that the UAV had been in the water for several months. At 11:20 a.m. local time, the drone was destroyed.

In February, a Russian Orlan-10 reconnaissance drone was found near an oil pipeline facility in Kazakhstan.