ATHENS – Greek officials launched an investigation Friday after fishermen discovered an armed Ukrainian naval drone hidden inside a cave on the island of Lefkada in the Ionian Sea.
The unmanned watercraft, identified as a MAGURA V3-type vessel manufactured in Ukraine, was found Thursday evening by local fishermen. Authorities remain puzzled about how the drone ended up in Greek territorial waters.
According to anonymous officials briefed on the discovery, initial examination revealed the sea drone was equipped with three detonators. One source indicated the vessel contained explosive materials, though Greek military officials have not yet verified this claim.
Explosive ordnance disposal teams have begun the careful process of disassembling the device, starting with battery removal, while underwater specialists have been deployed to the discovery site. Military personnel will spearhead the ongoing investigation to determine the drone’s technical specifications and intended mission, a defense official confirmed to Reuters.
Coast guard sources suggest investigators are exploring whether the unmanned vessel was designed to attack ships transporting Russian petroleum products throughout the Mediterranean region.
Maritime security experts theorize the drone may have been part of a larger fleet of similar devices or possibly veered off its planned route due to communication system malfunction.
