Greek minister confirms war drone near holiday island comes from Ukraine

©Marija Zivanovic via Unsplash

Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias confirms that the drone was indeed a Ukrainian military drone.

Last Thursday, a fisherman suddenly found an attack drone loaded with explosives in the water off the Greek holiday island of Lefkas. How the kamikaze drone ended up in the Ionian Sea remains a mystery for now.

The drone was estimated to be carrying some 100 kilograms of explosives. The device had washed up in a sea cave off the coast of Lefkas. Greek broadcaster ERT reported that the aircraft's engine was still running when it was found. It appears to be a long-range drone. The approximately one hundred kilograms of explosives it was carrying were detonated in a controlled manner.

Originating from Ukraine?

Greece immediately launched an investigation into the disturbing find. One of the plausible avenues immediately on the table was that of the drone deviated from Ukraine. After all, it is possible that the pilot lost control of the aircraft.

Experts suggested in local media that it was a Ukraine-made Magura V3 naval drone. According to the most common theory, Russian oil and gas transport ships in the Mediterranean Sea were the possible target of this drone. Indeed, Kiev has previously admitted to targeting tankers circumventing sanctions within Russia's shadow fleet. Indeed, this month Ukrainian drones already sank two ships in the Black Sea. Was this drone deliberately taken over or did the driver accidentally lose control?

Today, there is clarity about the origin of the aircraft. "We now have the certainty that it is a Ukrainian drone," said Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias. According to him, this is an "extremely serious issue affecting the freedom and security of shipping." The Greek defense minister informed his European counterparts and the Ukrainian defense minister, he added.

©Marija Zivanovic via Unsplash - illustration image of the Greek island of Lefkas