Sea drone probe strains relations with Kyiv

Greek authorities are investigating an unmanned surface vessel of Ukrainian technology recovered disconnected Lefkada, successful what officials described arsenic a superior improvement with imaginable implications for security, shipping and relations with Kyiv.

The Magura-type oversea drone, carrying explosives and indications it had participated successful a strike mission, was transferred Saturday to facilities of the Underwater Demolition Command astatine Skaramagas. Government officials confirmed reports that the drone was intended to target a vessel from Russia’s “shadow fleet” oregon a vessel transporting Russian oil.

Officials said the find raised concerns that the theater of war could grow from the Black Sea into the Mediterranean, creating risks for navigation, tourism and economical information successful Greece. Authorities warned that an onslaught connected a tanker successful the Ionian oregon Aegean seas could harm the country’s tourism sector.

According to officials acquainted with the investigation, authorities successful the coming hours will process devices attached to the drone to find whether metadata tin place its root with a precocious grade of accuracy.

Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis raised the contented Monday during the European Union Foreign Affairs Council successful Brussels and sought support from counterparts.

“This is an highly superior development,” Gerapetritis said earlier entering the meeting. “When the probe is completed and the indispensable technical characteristics are extracted, there will beryllium a effect from the Greek authorities with the indispensable demarches.”

He added that Greece “will not let war operations to make successful the wider Mediterranean portion and particularly toward Greece.”

The Greek equipped forces wide staff is supervising the probe and preparing a study for authorities. Officials are examining the drone for traces and accusation concerning its ngo and operational system, including reverse engineering. The Hellenic Center for Defense Innovation is besides participating successful the investigation.

Authorities said there is presently nary accusation indicating the beingness of further akin drones adjacent Greece, though Magura systems usually run successful groups of 4 to 8 vessels.

Investigators are besides examining whether the drone departed from a basal successful Libya oregon was transported aboard a cargo vessel. Officials said handwritten notes and a visible serial fig were considered important findings. Authorities are besides analyzing GPS and outer information to reconstruct the drone’s way earlier its discovery.