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Denmark: Drone activity confirmed at multiple airports Denmark says 'professional actor' behind drone incursions over its airports
(about 3 hours later)
Watch: Object seen flying away from Aalborg airport as drones disrupt flightsWatch: Object seen flying away from Aalborg airport as drones disrupt flights
Drones have disrupted activity at the second Danish airport in a week, after Aalborg airport in the north of the country was temporarily closed when drones were seen in its airspace. Denmark says drones flown over its airports appear to be the work of a "professional actor" but that there was no evidence of Russian involvement, after drone activity disrupted the country's air space for the second time in a week.
Three other smaller airports in the southern region - Esbjerg, Sønderborg and Skrydstrup - also reported drone activity, but were not closed. Aalborg airport in the country's north was forced to shut down for several hours after green lights were spotted overhead, while Billund airport also briefly closed. Three smaller airports in the south also reported drone activity.
The incidents come after Copenhagen airport was forced to close earlier this week due to a drone incursion, which the prime minister described as "the most severe attack on Danish infrastructure so far". On Monday, Copenhagen airport temporarily closed due to a drone incursion.
Europe has been on high alert after several Nato member states reported Russian incursions in their airspaces. Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen told a news conference that the "hybrid attack" was part of a "systematic operation", but said the devices had been launched locally.
"It says something about the times we live in and what we as a society must be prepared to deal with," Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told reporters earlier this week. Follow updates on this story
Russian involvement in the Copenhagen drone incursion could not be ruled out, she added - although Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the allegations "unfounded". A hybrid attack uses a mix of military and non-military tactics and is designed to interfere with a nation's infrastructure or institutions.
Last week, Estonia and Poland requested a consultation with other Nato members, after Russia was accused of violating their airspace in separate incidents. Romania, another Nato member, also said Russian drones had breached its airspace. Drones pose a risk of colliding with planes, particularly during take-off or landing, but halting air traffic in and out of an airport to avoid this can cause delays and flights being redirected elsewhere.
Russia denied violating Estonia's airspace, while it insisted the Polish incursion was not deliberate. It did not comment on the Romania incident. At least three flights were diverted away from Aalborg during the incident.
The drone activity at Aalborg airport led to at least three flights being diverted away, with officials saying the Danish Armed Forces were affected as the airport is also used as a military base. Poulsen said there was no evidence to suggest Russia was behind the incursion. Danish police are now seeking to find out who launched them.
North Jutland Police said they were monitoring the situation at Aalborg closely but could not elaborate on how many drones were involved. Russia has been accused of conducting hybrid attacks in the past, and Europe has been on high alert after several Nato member states reported Russian incursions in their airspaces.
"We cannot yet comment on the purpose of the drones flying in the area, nor can we say anything about who the actor behind it is," chief inspector Jesper Bøjgaard Madsen said. Estonia and Poland requested a consultation with other Nato members last week, after around 20 Russian drones crossed into Poland and Russian MiG31 jets entered Estonian airspace in a separate incident. Romania, another Nato member, also said a Russian drone had breached its airspace.
"If we get the opportunity, we will take down the drones," he added. Russia denied violating Estonia's airspace, while it insisted the Polish incursion was not deliberate. It did not comment on the incident in Romania.
Police said they did not believe there was any danger to passengers at the airport or residents, but asked the public to keep their distance from the area. Of the three flights affected at Aalborg, two were sent back to Copenhagen, and another back to the town of Karup. Suspicious drones have also been sighted over Germany and Sweden. All are suspected - but not proven - to be part of Russia's indirect aggression towards Nato states supporting Ukraine.
In southern Denmark, South Jutland police received several reports of drone activity at airports in Esbjerg, Sønderborg and Skrydstrup. Drones were also seen flying over northern Esbjerg. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Russian involvement in the Copenhagen drone incursion could not be ruled out, describing it as "the most severe attack on Danish infrastructure so far". The incident also saw Oslo airport in Norway temporarily close.
Addressing the drone reports in Esbjerg, Sønderborg and Skrydstrup, police said they were "taking the situation seriously", but could not comment on a motive, adding they couldn't rule out the activity being a prank. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the allegations "unfounded".
They added that none of the airports had been closed and there was no danger to the public. Officials said the Danish Armed Forces had been affected by Wednesday's incident, as Aalborg airport is also used as a military base.
The drones were not shot down, despite Danish authorities saying they had the ability. Officials said this was due to concerns for the safety of the surrounding population.
"If we get the opportunity, we will take down the drones," chief inspector Jesper Bøjgaard Madsen said.
Police said they did not believe there was any danger to passengers at the airport or residents, but asked the public to keep their distance from the area.
On Monday, Kastrup airport in Copenhagen was forced to shut for several hours following the sighting of a number of dronesOn Monday, Kastrup airport in Copenhagen was forced to shut for several hours following the sighting of a number of drones
Following a meeting on Tuesday, Nato issued a statement condemning Russia's actions and warned that it would use "all necessary military and non-military tools" to defend itself. Peter Hummelgaard, Denmark's justice minister, said the hybrid threats were "here to stay".
"Russia bears full responsibility for these actions, which are escalatory, risk miscalculation and endanger lives. They must stop," it said. Poulsen noted that an EU meeting had been called for Friday, at which enhanced drone preparedness across Europe would be discussed.
Nato's secretary general Mark Rutte said: "We are a defensive alliance, yes, but we are not naive, so we see what is happening." Earlier this month, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for a "drone wall" to tackle incursions launched by Russia.
After his speech to the UN, Donald Trump suggested that Nato nations should shoot down Russian planes breaching their airspace. What that means is not entirely clear - but detecting the drones early and then destroying them are seen as key elements of such a strategy.
Estonia requested the consultation with other Nato members after Russian warplanes violated its airspace last Friday. US President Donald Trump has gone as far as to say that Nato nations should shoot down Russian planes in their airspace, while Nato has warned it would use "all necessary military and non-military tools" to defend itself following the recent military incursions.
Three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered the Estonian skies "without permission and remained there for a total of 12 minutes" over the Gulf of Finland, the government said. "We are a defensive alliance, yes, but we are not naive, so we see what is happening," Nato's secretary general Mark Rutte said.
Italy, Finland and Sweden scrambled jets under Nato's mission to bolster its eastern flank.
Earlier this month Poland said it shot down at least three Russian drones which had entered its airspace. Days later, Romania tracked a Russian drone in its airspace near Ukraine's southern border.