Greek authorities are investigating the discovery of an unmanned surface vehicle (USV), known as a Magura V5 waterborne drone, off the island of Lefkada. Local fishermen found the craft operating near Cape Doukato, a remote point on the island’s southwestern coast facing the open Mediterranean.
Video published by Greek media showed the fishermen towing a black sea drone equipped with cameras, antennas, and long-range communications systems. According to multiple local reports, the engine was still running when the vessel was discovered inside a cave near the cape.
Authorities have not identified the drone as belonging to the Greek military or coast guard. Greek investigators are examining several scenarios, including whether the vessel was connected to smuggling operations or to the growing campaign of maritime attacks targeting ships linked to Russian energy exports. It is currently not clear who placed the drone near the island nor its intended purpose. m
Cape Doukato faces sea lanes connected to waters where multiple attacks on commercial shipping have taken place over the past year.
Greek newspaper Kathimerini and other regional outlets reported that investigators are considering the possibility that the drone is a Ukrainian-built Magura V5, a maritime strike platform that Kyiv has used extensively in the Black Sea against Russian naval targets. Some preliminary reports cited by local media also suggested the drone may have carried explosives, although Greek officials have not publicly confirmed that assessment. Greek explosives experts allegedly examined the drone after capture.
This is not the first time a drone has strayed far from Ukrainian territory. In December 2025, Kyiv acknowledged carrying out an air drone strike against the tanker Qendil north of Libya. In March 2026, the LNG carrier Arctic Metagaz was reportedly hit in the same region in what many maritime security observers believe was a sea drone attack, though Ukraine never formally claimed responsibility.
The incident also comes at a sensitive moment in Greek-Ukrainian defense cooperation. Greek media have also been discussing a November agreement to produce Magura drones in Greek shipyards. Last week, reports emerged that Ukraine wanted restrictions on how the Magura drone could be used, specifically that it should not be deployed against Turkey. The story quickly spread through Greek media and online political circles, with critics arguing that Greece had supplied significant military aid to Ukraine only to face limits on how jointly developed systems might eventually be used.
The Magura has become one of the most recognizable maritime drone systems used in the war between Ukraine and Russia. The low-profile craft is designed for long-range autonomous or remote-controlled operations and can carry surveillance payloads or explosive charges against ships and coastal targets.
