Cyprus has officially informed the United Nations about the latest violations by Turkey of the national airspace, territorial waters and international air traffic regulations of the Republic of Cyprus, which were recorded during the period March-May 2026.
In a letter dated 22 June 2026, to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the United Nations, Ambassador Maria Michael, stated that she wishes to draw attention to the "recent violations of the national airspace of Cyprus, international air traffic regulations in the Nicosia Flight Information Area (FIR), the territorial waters of Cyprus and the illegal use of closed ports and airports in Cyprus, by Turkey's air and naval forces."
According to the letter, "a total of 520 aerial and 23 naval violations were recorded during this period." Cyprus also notes that "103 of the 520 aerial violations were carried out by Turkish military unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), while 196 by Turkish armed military fighter jets".
The letter states that, in addition to these recorded incidents, "the Turkish occupying forces continue to violate the military status quo on the island on an almost daily basis" and to "further strengthen their military infrastructure in the occupied areas".
Ms. Michael emphasizes that these actions "demonstrate once again the continued violation by Turkey of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of the Republic of Cyprus", adding that they are "contrary to the UN Charter and international law".
The Permanent Representative of Cyprus also states that these actions "highlight the persistent aggressive behavior of the occupying power" and "seriously undermine the sense of security of all Cypriots". He added that "they are obstructing efforts aimed at creating conditions favorable to the resumption of negotiations for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem."
The annexes to the letter provide a detailed monthly record of the incidents. In March 2026, Cyprus recorded aerial violations involving Turkish military UAVs, helicopters, fighters and other military aircraft. The annex refers, among other things, to eight BAYRAKTAR TB-2 Turkish military drones, four ANKA Turkish military UAVs, two AKSUNGUR Turkish military UAVs, seven AS-532 Turkish military helicopters and thirty-six F-16 Turkish military fighter jets. According to the annex, all of this "violated international air traffic regulations and the national airspace of the Republic of Cyprus", entering "the Nicosia FIR and the national airspace of the Republic of Cyprus without diplomatic permission or communication with the Nicosia Area Control Centre".
For April 2026, the letter records further aerial violations, including twenty-two BAYRAKTAR TB-2 Turkish military UAVs, thirteen ANKA Turkish military UAVs, fifteen AS-532 Turkish military helicopters and ninety-four F-16 Turkish military fighter jets. The annex states again that they entered the Nicosia FIR and the national airspace of the Republic of Cyprus "without diplomatic permission or communication with the Nicosia Area Control Centre".
In May 2026, the annex records additional incidents involving twenty-three BAYRAKTAR TB-2 Turkish military UAVs, twenty-one ANKA Turkish military UAVs, five AKINCI Turkish military UAVs, five AKSUNGUR Turkish military UAVs and sixty-six F-16 Turkish military fighter jets, which are described as having "violated international air traffic regulations and the national airspace of the Republic of Cyprus".
The nautical branches also record violations during the period March-May 2026. In March, Cyprus reported that Turkish vessels, including the "TUFAN", "KARATAS", "OSMAN GAZI", "ATAK", "BAYRAKTAR" and "ZIPKIN", "violated the territorial waters of the Republic of Cyprus" and "illegally used the closed port of Famagusta, while participating in a naval operation by the occupying forces".
In April, the maritime violations concerned, among others, the vessels "ZIPKIN", "KILIÇ", "KARATAS", "KDZ EREGLI" and the submarine "GUR". The annex states that these ships "violated the territorial waters of the Republic of Cyprus", with some "illegally" using the "closed port of Famagusta" and others the "closed port of Kyrenia".
For May, Cyprus recorded violations involving "KILIÇ", "KARATAS", "KDZ EREGLI" and the submarine "INONU". According to the annex, these ships "violated the territorial waters of the Republic of Cyprus" and "illegally used the closed port of Famagusta" or "the closed port of Kyrenia", while participating "in a naval operation of the occupying forces".
Despite the allegations, Ms. Michael reiterated that Cyprus "remains fully committed" to supporting the efforts of the Secretary General and his Personal Envoy "with the aim of resuming negotiations and reaching a viable, comprehensive and fair settlement."
The letter clarifies that such a settlement should be based "on a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality" and "in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions".
