Greece Set to File Formal Complaint Against Ukraine Over Explosive Drone That Washed Up on Tourist Island

13:12 16/5/2026 - Πηγή: iEfimerida

Greece is preparing to lodge a formal diplomatic complaint against Ukraine after investigators concluded that an explosive-laden naval drone that washed ashore on the tourist island of Lefkada on May 7 was a Ukrainian weapon that veered off course following a technical malfunction — a finding Kyiv has officially denied.

Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis confirmed that Greece will file the complaint once a final

forensic report — expected next week — is delivered. Greek military technicians are completing their analysis at a mainland naval base, with a small number of encrypted tracking files still to be decoded.

The unmanned surface vehicle, carrying approximately 100 kilograms of explosives, was found by local fishermen on the Lefkada coastline. Preliminary analysis of the craft's metadata and remaining fuel indicates it did not travel far, contradicting early theories it may have been launched from as far away as Libya.

Investigators believe it was targeting a Russian "shadow fleet" vessel transiting the Mediterranean to evade Western oil sanctions before losing orientation.

Defense Minister Nikos Dendias raised the incident with EU counterparts in Brussels, condemning the deployment of armed autonomous systems in European waters.

"This vessel had explosives, endangering the safety of navigation," Mr. Dendias said, warning of the consequences had it struck a civilian ferry or cruise ship.

Mr. Dendias had previously demanded formal clarifications from his Ukrainian counterpart. Ukraine has denied ownership of the drone, deepening what has become a significant bilateral rift between the two countries.

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Greece is preparing to lodge a formal diplomatic complaint against Ukraine after investigators concluded that an explosive-laden naval drone that washed ashore on the tourist island of Lefkada on May 7 was a Ukrainian weapon that veered off course following a technical malfunction — a finding Kyiv has officially denied.

Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis confirmed that Greece will file the complaint once a final forensic report — expected next week — is delivered. Greek military technicians are completing their analysis at a mainland naval base, with a small number of encrypted tracking files still to be decoded.

The unmanned surface vehicle, carrying approximately 100 kilograms of explosives, was found by local fishermen on the Lefkada coastline. Preliminary analysis of the craft's metadata and remaining fuel indicates it did not travel far, contradicting early theories it may have been launched from as far away as Libya.

Investigators believe it was targeting a Russian "shadow fleet" vessel transiting the Mediterranean to evade Western oil sanctions before losing orientation.

Defense Minister Nikos Dendias raised the incident with EU counterparts in Brussels, condemning the deployment of armed autonomous systems in European waters.

"This vessel had explosives, endangering the safety of navigation," Mr. Dendias said, warning of the consequences had it struck a civilian ferry or cruise ship.

Mr. Dendias had previously demanded formal clarifications from his Ukrainian counterpart. Ukraine has denied ownership of the drone, deepening what has become a significant bilateral rift between the two countries.

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