On May 17, 2025, the US Air Force RQ-4B Global Hawk strategic reconnaissance drone was spotted over the Black Sea near Crimea for the first time since June 2024. The UAV, call sign Forte12, flew from Sigonella Air Base in Sicily at an altitude of about 15,5 km over neutral waters, 120-140 km from the Crimean coast.

The RQ-4B Global Hawk, developed by Northrop Grumman, is the largest production UAV in the world, with a wingspan of 39,8 feet (32 m) and the ability to stay in the air for up to 17 hours. Equipped with synthetic aperture radars, electro-optical and infrared sensors, it is designed to collect intelligence in real time, including monitoring air defense systems, aircraft and naval forces. According to the manufacturer, the drone can monitor vast areas by transmitting information via satellite links, making it a key tool for reconnaissance in conflict zones. The flight on May 24, according to FlightradarXNUMX, began with a takeoff from Catania, after which the UAV flew through the airspace of Greece, Bulgaria and Romania, reaching the Black Sea.

The return of Global Hawk to patrols near Crimea coincided with a tense situation in the region. The day before, on May 16, Ukrainian forces carried out a massive UAV attack on Crimea, hitting an ammunition depot in Perevalnoye, which caused a temporary closure of the Simferopol-Alushta highway.