Greece investigates mystery naval drone found with explosives near Lefkada
Greek authorities are investigating after fishermen found a naval drone carrying explosives in the Ionian Sea near Lefkada.
Bomb disposal experts later rendered it safe and carried out a controlled blast at sea near Astakos.
The unmanned vessel was discovered in a cave on Greece's western coast on Thursday with its engine still running, according to the supplied report.
Officials said it was suspected to be of Ukrainian origin and may have been a Magura-type drone.
Greek bomb disposal experts removed the detonators and battery before the controlled explosion.
The drone was estimated to be carrying around 100kg of explosives, and specialist teams in the Greek armed forces are now inspecting it for clues about its origin and purpose.
The incident has raised questions about Greece's maritime security and how emerging military technology can appear in territorial waters far from an active battlefield.
Authorities are examining how the drone entered Greek waters and whether it was intended to target shipping in the Mediterranean.
The report says Ukraine has used naval drones against Russian warships, tankers and naval bases since 2022, but that activity has largely been confined to the Black Sea.
