Mystery drone boat 'armed with explosives' seized by police in Greece

Saturday, 9 May 2026 14:24

A mystery drone boat understood to be armed with explosives is being investigated by police after being found by fishermen in Greece.

The vessel, a Ukrainian-made unmanned surface vehicle (USV), appeared on the Ionian island of Lefkada.

It is not clear how the boat, located on Thursday in a cave, reached Greek waters.

Preliminary findings indicate the MAGURA V3-type sea drone was fitted with three detonators, officials told Reuters.

One source told the news agency the vessel was loaded with explosives, although this has not been confirmed by Greece's army.

Bomb disposal experts began dismantling the drone and removing its batteries, with divers deployed at the scene.

A military official said security forces will lead the investigation to establish the vessel's technical characteristics and its possible purpose.

A coast guard source said investigators are examining whether the drone was intended to target ships carrying Russian oil to the wider Mediterranean.

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A maritime security source said the vessel may have been part of a shipment of such drones, or may have drifted off course after signal failure.

The boat was on Friday moved to a naval base on mainland for inspection, according to Greece's public broadcaster, ERT.

Ukraine has used drone boats in the Black Sea to wage an effective campaign against Russian naval vessels.

Moscow has also developed maritime drones with similar designs.

Sky News

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