Greece investigating Ukrainian naval drone found in island cave
Discovery and Investigation of the Naval Drone
(Corrects May 8 story to remove model of drone in paragraph 3, add denial that it was a MAGURA and clarify headline)
Initial Discovery by Fishermen
ATHENS, May 8 (Reuters) - Greek authorities are investigating a drone boat found by fishermen in a cave on the Ionian island of Lefkada, police and coast guard sources said on Friday.
It was not clear how the Ukrainian unmanned surface vehicle (USV) reached Greek waters. Fishermen located it late on Thursday.
Drone Identification and Company Response
Preliminary findings indicated it was a MAGURA sea drone fitted with three detonators, the officials said on condition of anonymity. A spokesperson for the company UForce, which produces such drones, later said it was not a MAGURA.
Explosives and Safety Measures
One source said the vessel was loaded with explosives, though Greece's army could not confirm this.
Bomb disposal experts began dismantling the drone, removing its batteries, while divers were deployed at the scene. Security forces will lead the investigation to establish its technical characteristics and possible purpose, a military official told Reuters.
Potential Motives and Theories
Investigators are examining whether the drone was intended to target ships carrying Russian oil in the wider Mediterranean, a coast guard source said.
A maritime security source said the vessel may have been part of a shipment of such drones or could have drifted off course after a signal failure.
Reporting and Editorial Credits
(Reporting by Yannis Souliotis, Writing by Renee Maltezou, Editing by Mark Potter)
