Greek authorities have rendered safe a naval drone carrying explosives after it was discovered in the Ionian Sea by fishermen. The unmanned vessel, suspected to be of Ukrainian origin, was found in a cave near Lefkada on Greece's western coast with its engine still running.
Greek bomb disposal experts removed its detonators and battery before conducting a controlled explosion of the roughly 100kg of explosives in the sea near Astakos. The incident has raised questions about Greece's maritime security and its vulnerability to emerging military technology. Authorities are now investigating how the drone ended up in Greek territorial waters and why it may have been in the Mediterranean.
Ukraine has used naval drones to target Russian warships and infrastructure since the full-scale invasion began in 2022, but most activity has been confined to the Black Sea. Greek and Ukrainian media have identified the vessel as likely a Ukrainian-made Magura drone. Officials in Athens are considering theories that the drone-with an estimated range of 700km-fell into the sea during transport or lost contact with its operator while targeting Russian shipping in the Mediterranean. The discovery has triggered a red alert across Greece's national security apparatus and drawn criticism from opposition parties, which question the government's awareness and preparedness for such threats.