DRC’s Bayraktar TB2 Military Drone Reportedly Shot Down Near Burundi Border in Escalating Kivu Tensions

Dec 5, 2025 - 12:20

A FARDC Bayraktar TB2 military drone was reportedly shot down on Friday morning near Luvungi, close to the DR Congo–Burundi border, shortly after taking off from Bujumbura. Debris from the aircraft was found scattered in a wooded area, with local residents reporting loud explosions before the crash. The incident comes as DR Congo and Rwanda hold high-stakes peace talks in Washington, raising fresh concerns about regional stability.

On the morning of Friday, December 5, 2025, reports emerged that a small military aircraft (drone) belonging to the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) had been shot down while carrying out strikes around Luvungi, Katogota and Kamanyola, near the DR Congo–Burundi border.

The drone is said to be a Bayraktar TB2, a Turkish-made unmanned combat aircraft known for its precision strike capability and battlefield surveillance. The TB2 has a wingspan of about 12 metres, an approximate weight of 650 kilograms and an estimated unit cost of around 5 million US dollars, with a full system reportedly valued at up to 15 million dollars.

According to local sources, the drone took off from Bujumbura International Airport in Burundi on Friday morning. Shortly after take-off, it was allegedly hit by explosive munitions and brought down rapidly, crashing into a wooded area close to zones where fighting has been reported. Images from the area show heavily mangled wreckage scattered among the trees.

UkweliTimes spoke by phone with a resident who is currently near the crash site. The resident, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said: “We heard a loud noise in the sky and then the sound of explosions. A few moments later, we saw something falling very fast. When we got closer, we realised it was a small aircraft that had caught fire.”

News of the downing comes as high-level peace talks between DR Congo and Rwanda continue in Washington, attended by regional heads of state and international officials. Analysts warn that such incidents risk escalating tensions on the ground and could complicate efforts to secure a lasting peace in South Kivu and the wider Great Lakes region.

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Layla kamanzi Layla Kamanzi is a passionate journalist and creative writer with a keen eye for impactful storytelling. As a Journalism and Mass Communication student at Mount Kenya University, she is dedicated to using words as a tool to inform, inspire, and amplify the voices of everyday people. Driven by curiosity and a love for truth, Layla explores stories that shape communities and spark meaningful conversations. She enjoys blending facts with compelling narratives to create content that educates, empowers, and connects audiences across East Africa and beyond.