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The unmanned vessel, suspected to be of Ukrainian origin, was found in a cave near Lefkada on Greece's western coast on Thursday with its engine still running. Greek bomb disposal experts removed its detonators and battery.

Ukraine has used naval drones to target Russian warships, tankers and naval bases since Moscow's full-scale invasion began in 2022, but much of this activity has been constrained to the Black Sea, which the two nations border.

Greek newspaper Ta Nea reports that theories being considered are that the drone - with an estimated range of 432 miles (700km) - fell into the sea while being transported or was intended to target Russian shipping in the Mediterranean but lost contact with its operator.

Meanwhile, Greece's Communist party said in a statement: "What business did the Ukrainian naval drone have in Greek territorial waters” What was its goal” Did the Greek government know if and in which operational plan it was part of” [...] Are other similar drones of other 'allies' also operating in Greek territorial waters”"

Defence Minister Nikos Dendias sought to downplay the significance of the drone's discovery on Saturday, saying: "Because we know what it is and what it contains, we have nothing to envy."