Could have exploded at any moment: a drone with a warhead was found in Mykolaiv

In Mykolaiv, police neutralized a Russian strike unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that was discovered today, 13 May 2026, by vigilant citizens on the top of one of the trees. This was reported on 13 May 2026 by the Mykolaiv Oblast Police.

Explosive ordnance disposal specialists, officers of the investigative-operational group of the Mykolaiv District Department, patrol officers and investigators from the specialized unit of the investigative department of the regional police headquarters arrived at the scene.

After inspection, explosive ordnance disposal technicians established that it was an enemy drone with a warhead that had not detonated during the fall. Because of this, the device posed a real threat to people’s lives and health. Police explosives specialists neutralized the UAV by means of a controlled detonation directly at the discovery site, observing all safety protocols.

Investigators documented the consequences of another war crime by the aggressor state and collected material evidence within a pre-trial investigation under Part 1 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

Law enforcement reminds citizens: if you find rocket fragments, drones, or other explosive items, do not approach or touch them. Any dangerous find should be reported immediately to the emergency hotline 102.

Note: previously we reported:

• Russian drone strike on a house in Ivanivka, Mykolaiv region: 19-year-old wounded, war crime investigated
• Drones can become weapons for criminals away from the front, – Vyhivskyi
• Night under drones: after a Russian attack, an infrastructure facility burned in Mykolaiv district
• In Mykolaiv, a cluster munition was found on a garage roof: explosive ordnance disposal technicians neutralized the munition
• In Mykolaiv Oblast a Russian killer drone fell and did not detonate