Mysterious sea drone near Greece may have drifted off course due to technical issue
Illustrative photo: naval drone (video screenshot)
The sea drone discovered in Greece may have gone off course due to a technical malfunction. Investigators believe the device likely failed to travel a long distance, according to Reuters.
Details of the investigation
The explosive-laden naval drone was found by fishermen on the shores of the Greek island of Lefkada on May 7.
Greek authorities claim the drone is Ukrainian, although Kyiv has officially denied this. Reuters noted that the incident has already caused diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
Greek intelligence services and military units are currently dismantling the drone to determine its characteristics.
Experts are also studying metadata to establish the drone’s mission and determine whether it was launched from a mothership or from land. One theory under consideration involved a possible launch from Libya across the Mediterranean Sea.
A source within Greece’s security services said the drone most likely lost orientation because of a technical malfunction. Preliminary findings and analysis of remaining fuel suggest it did not travel a significant distance, making the Libya launch theory unlikely.
The technical analysis is nearly complete. Experts only have to decode the encrypted data.
Greece’s response
Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias stressed the serious danger the drone posed to civilian shipping.
"This issue is very serious. This vessel ... had explosives, endangering the safety of navigation. I don't want to think what it would mean for a passenger ship or any ship to collide with that drone," Dendias said.
Greece has already informed the European Union about the incident.
Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis said Athens is prepared to file an official complaint once the investigation is completed.
What is known about the drone found in Greece
On May 12, 2026, a naval drone was discovered near the island of Lefkada in western Greece. Defense Minister Nikos Dendias described it as a serious threat to maritime traffic and voiced outrage over the incident.
Greek media quickly speculated that the device was a Ukrainian Magura V3 drone. However, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry urged international partners not to rush to conclusions.
The following day, on May 13, the company Uforce rejected the Greek claims. Company representatives stated that the drone found in the sea had no connection to Ukrainian Magura systems and that the drone modification mentioned by Greece does not exist at all.
The incident has also been linked to Ukraine’s military presence in the region. Earlier, in April 2026, media reports claimed that more than 200 Ukrainian military specialists had established bases in western Libya to counter Russian influence.
According to those reports, officers and experts were operating at three locations, including the Air Force Academy in Misrata, with official approval from the government in Tripoli.
