Lefkada: Drone found allegedly loaded with explosives – What authorities are investigating

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the unmanned vessel discovered on Thursday (May 7) by fishermen at Cape Lefkatas in Lefkada, with its engine reportedly still running.

The vessel was found hidden inside a sea cave, and initial assessments suggest it may be a MAGURA V3-type naval drone, a model that has been used during the war in Ukraine for attacks against Russian targets.

According to police and coast guard sources speaking anonymously to Reuters, the vessel carried three detonators, while one source claimed it was loaded with explosives. However, the Greek military has not officially confirmed the presence of explosive material.

Bomb disposal experts rushed to the scene and began the process of neutralizing and dismantling the drone, initially removing its batteries. Divers are also conducting searches in the area, while the investigation is being handled by Greek police in cooperation with military and coast guard authorities.

Investigation by the Armed Forces

The Greek Armed Forces have taken over the investigation of the unmanned vessel found by fishermen at Cape Lefkatas in Lefkada, with its engine still running.

The drone vessel will be transferred to the Attica region, where specialized military personnel will examine where it was manufactured, its technical characteristics and operational capabilities, and determine the nature of its contents.

Investigators are now focusing both on the vessel’s technical specifications and on its possible destination or mission.

According to a coast guard source, authorities are seriously examining the possibility that the unmanned vessel was intended for an operation targeting ships transporting Russian oil in the wider Mediterranean region.

Another source involved in maritime security suggested the vessel may have been part of a mission transporting similar systems, or that it lost orientation due to a malfunction or signal loss before eventually drifting into the Ionian Sea.

Retired navy vice admiral comments on the discovery

Spyros Konidaris, a retired vice admiral of the Hellenic Navy, confirmed that the drone appears to be Ukrainian and noted that its engine was still running, “which indicates it was prepared for some kind of operation.”

He also stressed that the location where the vessel was found is strategically important, as from there it could potentially strike a Russian cargo ship or a vessel linked to an oligarch, both of which could be considered targets.

“In the Mediterranean there have been attacks against the shadow Russian fleet exporting oil or natural gas. There was an attack north of Libya in 2025, and another vessel carrying natural gas was struck near Malta this March. This drone may have been intended for something similar. I find it unlikely that it was carrying only electronic equipment for surveillance. I estimate it was targeting a Russian ship bypassing sanctions and transporting cargo,” the retired admiral said.