Ukraine has apologized to Greece over the discovery of a Ukrainian naval drone off the island of Lefkada last month, attributing the incident to circumstances arising from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

In a statement posted on social media late Friday, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi said Kyiv “expresses its apologies for the incident,” stressing that it was the result of circumstances created by “the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine.”

Tykhyi thanked Greece and its people for their support since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion and said Ukraine highly values its friendship with Greece.

He added that while Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” is a shared concern for both countries, Ukraine remains committed to international law and maritime safety and is interested in preventing similar incidents in the future.

“The Lefkada incident, as well as similar incidents elsewhere, demonstrates that Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine poses a threat not only to our country but also to neighboring friendly states, Europe, and the world at large,” Tykhyi said.

As of Saturday morning, Tykhyi’s statement had not appeared on the website of the Foreign Ministry in Kyiv.

The drone was found by fishermen on May 7 and later handed over to Greek military authorities. It is believed to be linked to a series of Ukrainian maritime drone operations targeting vessels associated with Russia’s oil exports.

Earlier this week, the Foreign Ministry in Athens formally confirmed that it lodged two diplomatic demarches with Ukraine over the activity of the naval drone.

On Friday, a maritime drone that is being used in the war in Ukraine self-detonated at a port in Romania, the Defense Ministry in Bucharest said.

Source: Ekathimerini.com