Ukrainian naval drone veered off course and ended up in Ionian Sea, Greece concludes
Magura W6P naval drone (Photo: Militarnyi)
Greek investigators think that an armed naval drone found
last week on the Ionian island of Lefkada likely veered off course because
of a technical malfunction, Reuters reported
on May 15.
Fishermen discovered the drone, reportedly carrying explosives, on the coast of Lefkada in the Ionian Sea on May 7. Greek media later reported the device contained about 100 kilograms of explosives.
“The explosives-laden drone — which Greece says is Ukrainian, a claim Kyiv has officially denied — was discovered by fishermen on the shores of Lefkada on May 7, triggering diplomatic tensions between Athens and Kyiv,” the report said.
A security official told Reuters the drone probably failed to reach its intended target after losing its course because of a technical fault. Another official said fuel levels will be a key factor in the investigation but declined to provide further details. Technical analysis is nearly complete, with only some encrypted data left to decode, the source added.
Defense Minister Nikos Dendias, who has publicly said the drone was Ukrainian, called the incident “a very serious problem.”
“This issue is very serious. This vessel ... had explosives, endangering the safety of navigation. I don't want to think what it would mean for a passenger ship or any ship to collide with that drone,” he said.
Greek officials say the drone was deployed in Greece’s
territorial waters and accuse Ukraine of launching it with the apparent aim of
striking a Russian vessel in the Mediterranean. Kyiv has denied responsibility.
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