Diplomatic relations between Greece and Ukraine are entering troubled waters after a Ukrainian drone carrying explosives was discovered near a Greek island that attracts thousands of tourists each year.
The Greek authorities are currently examining the drone of the sea found by fishermen near the island of Lefkada in the Ionian Sea. The drone reportedly carried 100 kilograms of explosives and was difficult to detect on radar.
The incident has sparked outrage in Athens amid concerns that Greece’s vital tourism industry could be hit by similar incidents.
“We are certain that the drone is Ukrainian,” said Nikos Dendias, the Greek defense minister, adding that he would raise the “serious” incident with his EU counterparts at a meeting on Tuesday.
Greek newspaper To Vima reported that the sea drone was either launched into the area by a merchant ship or originated from a military base the Ukrainians are believed to have in the western Libyan city of Misrata.
The prevailing theory is that the operators lost remote control of the drone, causing it to drift and eventually end up off the coast of Lefkada. Initial assessments suggest the drone may have targeted Russia’s shadow fleet operating in the Mediterranean.
Greek diplomatic sources in Athens said Euractiv that either the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Ministry of Defense “will issue statements in the coming days”.
The Greek government will respond with appropriate diplomatic statements, Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis said on Monday, adding that Athens will not allow the Mediterranean to become “a theater of military operations”.
A dead end deal
Greece and Ukraine agreed last November to jointly manufacture unmanned surface vessels (USVs). However, the deal now appears to have stalled as Kiev reportedly sought to dictate how naval drones would be deployed in the event of military engagement.
Athens interpreted the request as an attempt by Kiev to maintain control over its relations with Turkey, which has long-standing maritime disputes with Greece.
Although Greece has supported Ukraine militarily against Russian aggression, Turkey is widely regarded as an important mediator in the conflict.
Ukraine imposes conditions on Greece in naval drone deal
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For its part, Kiev has repeatedly criticized Athens for the involvement of some Greek or Greek-owned shipping companies in the transport of Russian oil.
Ukraine’s mission in Brussels did not respond to a request for comment.
Meanwhile, military sources in Athens suggest the government could use the incident as an opportunity to gain expertise and develop similar naval drone technology through reverse engineering by dismantling the system and analyzing its software and components.
“We know what it is and we know approximately what it contains. We have nothing to envy,” Dendias said over the weekend.
Athens is looking to develop advanced drone and anti-drone capabilities as part of its €25-28 billion Agenda 2030 defense modernization programme.
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