A drone boat believed to be carrying explosives has been rendered safe after fishermen discovered it in Greek waters. The Ukrainian-made unmanned surface vehicle (USV) was spotted in a cave off the Ionian island of Lefkada on Thursday, though it’s not clear how it got there.
On Friday it was then moved to a naval base in mainland Greece for inspection, public broadcaster ERT reported. Officials told Reuters that the MAGURA V3-type sea drone was fitted with three detonators and loaded with explosives. The drones are used for reconnaissance and strike missions, with a range of up to 500 miles and a top speed of around 50mph.
Bomb disposal experts dismantled the drone and removed its batteries, while security forces will lead an investigation into what the vessel was doing there.
Investigators will examine whether the drone was meant to target ships carrying Russian oil to the Mediterranean, a coast guard source said.
A maritime security source added that the boat could have been amongst a shipment of similar drones or drifted off course after a signal failure.
Ukraine has used naval drones to target Russian warships, tankers, and naval bases, though most of this activity remains in the Black Sea. Ukraine’s military has not yet commented on the incident.
Another theory being considered is that the vessel was being used for drug trafficking, though there has been no confirmation of this.
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.”
