Greece's Military Examines Mystery Naval Drone Found in Ionian Sea
Greek military experts are examining the vessel’s origin and purpose after finding detonators aboard, while investigators consider a possible link to Russian shipping.
- On May 7, fishermen discovered an unmanned surface vessel in a cave off Lefkada and towed it to Vasiliki. Greek military experts identified the craft as a Ukrainian-made Magura-class drone fitted with three detonators.
- While primarily deployed in the Black Sea to target Russian 'shadow fleet' tankers, these Magura-class USVs are typically used by Ukraine against Russian vessels. Investigators are examining whether this craft drifted off course or was intended for a Mediterranean strike.
- Greek bomb-disposal experts moved the vessel to a mainland naval base and removed detonators and batteries to render it safe. Reports estimate the drone carried approximately 100kg of explosives, though the army could not confirm this.
- On May 12, Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias confirmed the drone's Ukrainian origin, describing it as an 'extremely serious issue' that 'affects the freedom of navigation' in the Mediterranean.
- The discovery prompted national security alerts and political criticism from opposition parties questioning the Greek government's maritime oversight. This incident illustrates risks of modern, uncrewed warfare expanding beyond defined conflict zones.
105 Articles
105 Articles
The drone was found by a local fisherman. Initial findings suggest it is a Magura V5 drone equipped with three detonators. Greek Defense Minister Nikolaos Dendias confirmed the drone's origin on Tuesday. He called the incident a threat to navigation in the Mediterranean and an "extremely serious problem." A fisherman from the island of Lefkada found the naval drone in a coastal cave on May 7 and towed it to a nearby port. The following day, the …
Greece Weighs Diplomatic Protest to Ukraine After Drone Found Off Lefkada
Greece is considering a diplomatic protest to Ukraine after an explosive naval drone was found off Lefkada. Credit: Wikimedia Commons / Chabe 01 / CC BY SA 4.0 Greece is expected to issue a formal diplomatic protest to Ukraine if authorities confirm that a Ukrainian-built unmanned naval drone carrying dozens of pounds of explosives belongs to Ukrainian forces. The drone was found off the coast of Lefkada, raising serious concern in Athens over m…
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