Growing concern in Athens over a regional security spillover from the war in Ukraine intensified this month after Greek authorities traced a sea drone discovered in the Ionian Sea to Ukraine, prompting diplomatic action toward Kyiv and consultations with European partners.

Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis has raised the issue with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and directly with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha during the informal EU Foreign Affairs Council, known as the Gymnich meeting, in Limassol, Cyprus, according to diplomatic sources.

Athens is expected to formally deliver a diplomatic démarche to Kyiv in the coming days following the completion of a military assessment by the Hellenic National Defense General Staff, whose findings have already been forwarded to the foreign ministry. Additional diplomatic contacts with international partners are also expected.

The sea drone was discovered on May 7 by a fisherman off the coast of Lefkada, triggering an investigation by authorities into its origin and possible route. Officials have not publicly detailed how the unmanned vessel reached Greek waters, though the incident raised concerns within the government over maritime security and the wider consequences of the ongoing conflict.

The case comes amid heightened Greek attention to hybrid threats, maritime surveillance and critical infrastructure protection. Over the past month, government officials have increasingly emphasized the need to strengthen coastal monitoring systems and expand coordination among the armed forces, coast guard and intelligence services as regional instability and irregular security incidents continue to affect the eastern Mediterranean and wider European security environment.