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The unmanned marine vehicle discovered Thursday successful waters disconnected southern Lefkada successful the Ionian Sea has been identified by officials arsenic a Ukrainian Magura V5, according to statements connected Friday. The find triggered a multi-agency effect involving Greek authorities and the Ministry of National Defense.
Initial findings bespeak that the unmanned vessel contained detonators but nary explosives, easing aboriginal concerns that led to the deployment of explosive ordnance disposal specialists from the Land Mine Clearance Battalion (TENX).
Authorities are presently examining respective scenarios regarding the drone’s purpose. One enactment of enquiry considers the anticipation that it whitethorn person been used successful cause trafficking operations, perchance arsenic a tool for smugglers.
Investigators person besides not ruled retired a transportation to planned attacks targeting vessels linked to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” which is used to transport Russian lipid while circumventing Western sanctions.
Similar incidents person been reported successful caller months. In December, the Russian tanker Qendil was targeted successful an attack, while successful March the Russian LNG bearer Arctic Metagaz suffered important harm pursuing an detonation southeast of Malta.
The drone was archetypal discovered by fishermen adjacent Cape Doukato wrong a coastal cave, with its motor reportedly still running. The achromatic vessel was equipped with precocious technology, including antennas and communications systems, prompting contiguous concern.
The fishermen secured the trade and towed it to the larboard of Vasiliki, where it was handed implicit to the Greek Coast Guard.
An probe is ongoing.
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