Athens protests over explosive Ukrainian sea drone found in cave on tourist island
politico.eu • • world
Key Points:
- Greece is protesting the discovery of an unexploded Ukrainian naval drone in its waters near Lefkada, raising concerns about the Ukraine-Russia conflict spilling into the Mediterranean region.
- The drone, still armed and with engines running, is under investigation by Greek authorities, who are exploring whether it was launched from a commercial ship or a Ukrainian base in Libya.
- Kyiv denied ownership of the drone and expressed willingness to cooperate with Greece to clarify the incident, while also criticizing Greece's tanker fleet for aiding Russia's oil transport.
- The incident has sparked domestic criticism of the Greek government's security measures and strained Greece-Ukraine relations, with opposition parties questioning Athens' preparedness and stance on the conflict.
- Previous cooperation between Greece and Ukraine on naval drones faces challenges due to disagreements over operational control, reflecting broader tensions in their bilateral relations amid the ongoing war.