Greece has issued an official diplomatic note to Ukraine regarding an explosive-laden unmanned maritime drone that was discovered this month on the rocky coast in the west of the country.
It was reported by the Greek newspaper Kathimerini, citing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Ministry spokesperson Lana Zohiu announced the diplomatic protest during a press briefing on Wednesday. The incident involves a drone discovered on May 7 by fishermen on the island of Lefkada in the Ionian Sea.
Greece claims that it is allegedly linked to a series of attacks by maritime drones, which Ukraine is believed to have carried out in recent months, targeting vessels associated with russian oil transport efforts.
As a reminder, on May 13, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi stated that there is no evidence that the drone discovered by Greek fishermen belongs to any Ukrainian operator.
What Greece Stated in its Note of Protest
The note states that "the unmanned surface vessel discovered in Greek territorial waters posed a serious threat to maritime navigation and could have caused the death of innocent citizens. Furthermore, it could have caused incalculable damage to the environment."
"The transfer of military operations to the Mediterranean Sea, a great distance from the actual front lines of the war, jeopardizes our national security, and our national economy is suffering a decisive blow," the note also states.
It also states that Ukraine’s right to self-defense “cannot justify such actions.” It is reported that Greece strongly objects to the illegal presence of an armed unmanned surface vessel in Greek territorial waters and calls on Ukraine to refrain from such actions in the future and from the unjustified transfer of military operations to the Mediterranean.
Background
Earlier, Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis officially informed EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas of the General Staff’s findings, which, it is claimed, prove that the drone was allegedly operating on Kyiv’s orders and was also built by and belongs to Ukraine. Gerapetritis also informed his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, of this.
The maritime drone (according to Greek media, a "Kozak Mamai" model) was found with its engines running and loaded with approximately 70 kilograms of explosives, as well as handwritten notes. After the possibility of a provocation was ruled out and experts conducted an inspection, Greek authorities concluded that the drone was part of a broader operation in which other similar systems were to be used to strike vessels belonging to russian interests.
Greece had previously stated that it considers it a high priority for Ukraine to acknowledge its mistake and to withdraw all other drones of this type from the wider Mediterranean region.
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