Greek authorities say a sea drone belonging to a ‘foreign state’ was recovered this week off the Ionian island of Lefkada. Defense Minister Nikos Dendias told a conference of the ruling New Democracy party in Thessaloniki that the craft was found outside Greek territorial waters and that officials ‘more or less know what it contains.’
A local fisherman discovered the unmanned vessel inside a coastal cave on Thursday. The craft was removed to a mainland naval base for inspection after military personnel found explosives on board. Greek military experts later rendered the device safe so it could be transported to Athens for further analysis.
Officials say the unmanned surface vehicle resembles a Magura-class sea drone, the type reportedly used by Ukrainian forces in attacks on Russian ships near Crimea. Kyiv has also confirmed it has used aerial drones to strike vessels linked to a so-called ‘shadow fleet’ of tankers operating in the Mediterranean. Ukrainian intelligence sources have told investigators that one tanker, the QENDIL, suffered critical damage in a December attack.
A maritime security source cited by Reuters suggested the recovered drone might have been part of a larger shipment or could have drifted off course after losing its signal. Greek authorities continue to investigate the origin, purpose and payload of the vessel as they coordinate security and intelligence assessments.
Edited by Roshni Majumdar