Drones have been reported near military sites including Denmark’s largest, following a series of events that created air disturbances earlier this week.
The devices were detected over Karup airbase, among others, leading to a temporary closure of its airspace to commercial flights. Similar sightings were also noted in Germany, Norway, and Lithuania.
This is the latest in a sequence of dubious drone activities in Denmark, heightening concerns about the nation’s exposure to aerial threats and igniting fears of possible Russian involvement.
Danish officials indicated that Thursday’s incursions seemed to be a “hybrid attack,” although they warned that there was no evidence linking Moscow to the incidents.
The incident on Friday occurred around 20:15 local time (18:15 GMT) and lasted for several hours, according to duty officer Simon Skelsjaer, who spoke to news agency AFP.
He stated that the police could not disclose the origin of the drones as they had not been intercepted, adding that police were collaborating with the Danish military in their investigation.
Although the civil airspace above the base was closed for a short duration, it had no repercussions since no commercial flights were set for that time, Skelsjaer noted.
The Danish Defence Ministry confirmed that drones were detected near various military sites overnight but did not clarify which ones. It stated it would refrain from further comments.
The other military sites have not been identified by Danish state media.
Authorities in Denmark have not speculated on the possible perpetrators behind the drone activities.
Approximately 3,500 personnel are stationed at Karup airbase, which hosts all of the Danish Armed Forces’ helicopters, airspace monitoring, and segments of the Danish Defence Command.
These incursions arise just days after drones over Danish airports—some of which also contained military installations—compelled airports to shut down and cease their airspace operations.
Denmark’s Aalborg and Billund airports suspended operations due to drones over the airport on Wednesday night, while three smaller airports reported drone activity yet managed to maintain operations.
On Monday, Copenhagen airport was closed for several hours after several drones were spotted, with potential drone sightings also temporarily halting Oslo airport in Norway.
Germany’s interior ministry stated it was looking into several drones observed on Friday over Schleswig-Holstein, the region adjacent to Jutland, where Karup airbase and the airports affected by Wednesday’s incursions are located.
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt mentioned that the threat from drones was significant and that Germany would address the issue with European partners next month.
Meanwhile, police in Norway informed state media they were looking into possible drone sightings at Orland airbase, situated to the west of the country, where F-35 fighter jets are deployed.
Drone activity also resulted in flight delays on Friday at Vilnius airport in Lithuania, which shares a land boundary with Russian territory, as reported by state media.
There are suspicions that the wave of drone incursions on Wednesday may be part of a Russian strategy of indirect aggression towards NATO nations that are aiding Ukraine in its conflict with Russia – though this association has not been substantiated.
The Russian embassy in Copenhagen has refuted “absurd speculations” regarding its involvement in what it referred to as “staged provocations”.
Denmark’s defence minister remarked that the “hybrid attack” was executed by a “professional actor” but seemed to have been initiated locally.
A hybrid attack employs a combination of military and non-military strategies aimed at disrupting a nation’s infrastructure or institutions.
Russia has faced accusations of executing hybrid attacks in the past, and Europe remains vigilant after several NATO member states reported Russian intrusions in their airspaces.
Estonia and Poland sought a consultation with other NATO members last week, following approximately 20 Russian drones crossing into Poland and Russian MiG31 jets entering Estonian airspace in separate incidents.
Romania, another NATO ally, also reported a Russian drone had breached its airspace.
Russia did not issue a statement regarding the incident in Romania, but it rejected claims of violating Estonia’s airspace and stated that the Polish incursion was unintentional.
After the incident in Copenhagen on Monday, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated that Russian involvement could not be excluded.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov referred to the accusations as “unfounded”.
