A NATO done appeared to have lost communications as it travelled near Russian airspace. The NATO RQ-4D Phoenix, callsign MAGMA10, reportedly sent an emergency “squawk” code of 7600 while flying over the Black Sea.

Tracking data showed the remotely piloted aircraft heading towards the eastern area of the Black Sea, before turning around and back again. A squawk 7600 indicates an aircraft has lost communication with air traffic control. The drone took off from Sigonella on the Italian island of Sicily where NATO’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconaissance Force (NISRF) has its main operating base.

The high-altitude, long-endurance uncrewed aircraft flew over NATO allies Greece and Bulgaria before entering the Black Sea, data shows.

NATO regularly conducts patrols of the Black Sea.

In 2023, the alliance announced it was increasing surveillance in the region.

The NISRF operates five of the aircraft, manufactured by Northrop Grumman, which are equipped with powerful radars and sensors.

They have a wingspan of almost 40 metres (130.9 ft) and are 14.5 metres in length (47.6 ft).

Known as Phoenix, the drones can carry out sorties of more than 20 hours.

In 2021, a NATO Phoenix completed its first 24-hour mission, taking off from Sigonella towards the Black Sea.

One of the aircraft operated along the Finland-Russia border for the first time in 2023.

The RQ-4D Phoenix is based on the United States Air Force’s RQ-4 Global Hawk Block 40, tailored to meet specific NATO interoperability and communications requirements.

The Black Sea, a key trade route, has been the scene of some fierce fighting between Ukraine and Russia since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion more than three years ago.

Ukraine’s forces have used drones to devastating effect in the waters, causing significant damages to Russia’s Black Sea Fleet.

An RAF aircraft last year was jammed while flying close to Russian territory.

The Express has approached NATO for a comment.