The Politico website has introduced a new twist in the investigation into the origin of the maritime drone found in a cave in Lefkada, while a specialized team is analyzing the unmanned surface vessel at Hellenic Navy facilities in Skaramangas.

Citing “Greek officials,” the well-known outlet presents two “main scenarios” regarding its origin, noting that “the two primary scenarios under investigation are either that the drone fell into the area from a commercial ship or that it was launched from a Ukrainian base in Misrata, western Libya.”

At the same time, sources with deep knowledge of the case point to the “similarities” the maritime drone shares with unmanned surface vessels, reducing the likelihood that it is a Magura-type craft.

Military analysts emphasized that the characteristics of the unmanned maritime vessel (short length, low profile, jet propulsion engine) resemble those of civilian-type vessels commonly operating in the Ionian Sea region, such as fishing boats, leisure craft, and speedboats. Monitoring and surveillance of such vessels are not the responsibility of the Armed Forces, which in any case do not focus on the Ionian region.

Given these developments, the issue of the maritime drone was raised yesterday by the Greek Minister of National Defence, Nikos Dendias, during the EU Defence Ministers Council meeting. He stated, in the context of the meeting attended via video call by the Ukrainian Defence Minister, that the drone was “a Ukrainian unmanned surface vehicle.”

As Mr. Dendias said, “I will inform my colleagues — in the presence, via video call, of the Ukrainian Defence Minister — about the data regarding the drone we ‘fished out’ in Greece; it is Ukrainian,” adding that “the presence of this maritime drone affects the freedom and safety of navigation.” “It is an extremely serious matter,” Nikos Dendias concluded.

According to reports, the Ukrainian Defence Minister responded that he would investigate the matter and return with further information, while the maritime drone continues to be examined by a team from the Armed Forces in order to clarify both its operational objectives and its operators.

Criminal liability investigation

Meanwhile, once the Armed Forces complete their report following the examination of the unmanned surface vessel (USV), they are expected to forward the findings to the Hellenic Coast Guard. According to reliable information, the Coast Guard will then send the report to the public prosecutor so that any possible criminal liability connected to the presence of an explosives-equipped maritime drone near Lefkada can be investigated.

From Kyiv’s side, however, “there is no evidence that it belongs to Ukrainian maritime drone operators. We are open to cooperation with the Greek side in order to clarify the circumstances of the incident, if relevant requests are made,” said Heorhii Tykhyi to journalists yesterday, according to Politico.

At the same time, the Greek Foreign Minister, Giorgos Gerapetritis, outlined Athens’ position on the incident, making it clear “in every direction” that “Greece will not allow military actions to develop in the wider Mediterranean region, and especially toward Greece.”