Recent weeks have seen a surge in mysterious drone flights over European Union airspace, sparking widespread alarm among the public and government officials. These incursions, some attributed to Russia, have reached an unprecedented scale, raising concerns about NATO’s preparedness and response capabilities. On September 10, a swarm of Russian drones breached Poland’s airspace, prompting NATO aircraft to intercept and shoot down several devices. This marked the first direct confrontation between NATO and Russia since the latter’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Days later, NATO jets escorted three Russian warplanes out of Estonia’s airspace. These incidents have led European defense ministers to agree on developing a ‘drone wall’ along their borders to enhance detection, tracking, and interception of unauthorized drones. While Russia denies any deliberate involvement, European authorities remain tight-lipped, often delaying public acknowledgment of these overflights. In Germany, Munich Airport experienced two closures within 24 hours due to drone sightings, disrupting travel for over 6,500 passengers. Similarly, Copenhagen Airport faced significant disruptions, with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen labeling it as the most serious attack on Danish critical infrastructure to date. Norway’s Oslo Airport also reported a drone sighting, prompting investigations into potential links between these incidents. Danish military sites, including the Karup Air Base, have also been targeted, with Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen suggesting a ‘professional’ actor was behind these systematic flights. In Germany, drones were spotted over critical infrastructure in Schleswig-Holstein, including a power plant, a university hospital, and a shipyard. Authorities are investigating these sightings, with Chief Public Prosecutor Stephanie Gropp confirming ongoing inquiries. The situation has left European countries scrambling to formulate effective responses, including whether to authorize the shooting down of drones.
Mysterious drone flights in NATO airspace have caused alarm across Europe. Here’s what we know
