Ukraine Denies Any Link to Unmanned Vessel Discovered Near Greece

Mystery Drone Found Off Greek Coast

According to Главком: Ukrainian officials have firmly rejected claims that a drone boat discovered last week near Greece was operated by their forces. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi stated,

“There is no evidence whatsoever linking it to Ukrainian naval drone operators.”

Kyiv says it has no information about the vessel’s origin but has offered to cooperate with Greek authorities to clarify the circumstances. This incident comes amid heightened focus on unmanned naval systems, which have played a prominent role in the war in Ukraine.

Unmanned Naval Vessel Discovered

The Magura V3 unmanned surface vessel, found near the island of Lefkada in the Ionian Sea, was equipped with detonators but carried no explosives. Local fishermen spotted the drone near Cape Doukato inside a coastal cave, with its engine still running at the time of discovery. The craft was outfitted with modern antennas and communication systems. The fishermen towed the vessel to the port of Vasiliki and handed it over to the Hellenic Coast Guard. Greek authorities have ramped up their investigation, bringing in bomb disposal specialists due to the presence of detonators, though a check confirmed there was no explosive charge on board.

It is worth noting that Ukrainian Magura V5 naval drones participated in the NATO exercise Repmus 24 off the coast of Portugal, where they successfully 'sank' a large enemy vessel, which was simulated by a NATO frigate. This demonstrates Ukraine’s active involvement in international military drills, but at present, there is no proof that the discovered drone is connected to Ukrainian forces.

The incident draws attention due to the growing role of unmanned technologies in armed conflicts, particularly in the context of the war in Ukraine. Ukrainian drones have already proven their effectiveness in NATO exercises, underscoring the need for continued monitoring and analysis of such technologies in the region. Cooperation between Ukraine and Greece in investigating this case could help enhance security in the Black Sea and Mediterranean regions, where drone activity is on the rise.