Authorities in Greece have launched an investigation after a Ukrainian-made naval drone was found off the coast of a popular holiday island. The Magura V3 was reportedly found with its engine still running by fishermen in a Lefkada sea cave on Thursday.
The drones are used for reconnaissance and strike missions, with a range of up to 500 miles and a top speed of around 50 miles per hour. The fishermen towed the vessel to the port of Vasiliki, where it was handed over to the Greek coast guard, according to local reports. The Greek military, alongside intelligence experts, is leading the investigation.
One theory being considered is that the vessel was being used for drug trafficking.
Xenophon Verginis, the mayor of Lefkada, told the Ta Nea newspaper: “We don’t know what exactly it is about, but drug transactions from the coast of Albania are often carried out in this area.
“The authorities were immediately notified and investigations are under way.”
Reports suggest the drone had been configured for a kamikaze-style attack, possibly against Russia’s so-called shadow-fleet which is used to transport oil and gas to bypass Western sanctions.
Ukraine has regularly used sea drones to strike Russian vessels, including shadow fleet tankers, during the war.
Local reports say the drone discovered off Lefkada in the Ionian Sea was packed with explosives.
Officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the Reuters news agency it was fitted with three detonators.
One source said it was loaded with explosives — up to 650lb according to some reports — but this was not confirmed by the Greek military.
Bomb disposal experts were deployed on Friday, removing batteries from the uncrewed vessel.
The US President said the ceasefire would include a halt of all “kinetic activity”, plus a swap of 1,000 from both countries.
Lefkada, south of Corfu, is one of Greece’s most popular destinations in the Ionian Sea and has been dubbed the ‘Caribbean of Greece’.
