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Drones seen over Danish military bases in latest air disruption | Drones seen over Danish military bases in latest air disruption |
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Drones were observed overnight above Karup airbase (pictured), Denmark's largest military base | Drones were observed overnight above Karup airbase (pictured), Denmark's largest military base |
Drones have been seen near military facilities including Denmark's largest, following a series of incidents that caused air disruption earlier this week. | Drones have been seen near military facilities including Denmark's largest, following a series of incidents that caused air disruption earlier this week. |
The devices were observed above Karup airbase, among others, forcing it to briefly close its airspace to commercial traffic. Possible sightings were also reported in Germany, Norway and Lithuania. | The devices were observed above Karup airbase, among others, forcing it to briefly close its airspace to commercial traffic. Possible sightings were also reported in Germany, Norway and Lithuania. |
It is the latest in a string of suspicious drone activity in Denmark, raising concerns about the nation's vulnerability to aerial attack and sparking fears of potential Russian involvement. | It is the latest in a string of suspicious drone activity in Denmark, raising concerns about the nation's vulnerability to aerial attack and sparking fears of potential Russian involvement. |
Danish authorities said Thursday's incursions appeared to be a "hybrid attack", but cautioned that they had no evidence to suggest Moscow was behind it. | Danish authorities said Thursday's incursions appeared to be a "hybrid attack", but cautioned that they had no evidence to suggest Moscow was behind it. |
Friday's incident took place around 20:15 local time (18:15 GMT) and lasted several hours, duty officer Simon Skelsjaer told news agency AFP. | Friday's incident took place around 20:15 local time (18:15 GMT) and lasted several hours, duty officer Simon Skelsjaer told news agency AFP. |
He said police could not comment on where the drones had come from as they had not shot them down, adding that police were co-operating with the Danish military in their investigation. | He said police could not comment on where the drones had come from as they had not shot them down, adding that police were co-operating with the Danish military in their investigation. |
Though civil airspace above the base was briefly closed, it had no impact because no commercial flights were scheduled in the area at the time, Skelsjaer said. | Though civil airspace above the base was briefly closed, it had no impact because no commercial flights were scheduled in the area at the time, Skelsjaer said. |
The Danish Defence Ministry confirmed that drones were sighted near multiple military installations overnight, but did not specify which ones. It said it would not comment further. | The Danish Defence Ministry confirmed that drones were sighted near multiple military installations overnight, but did not specify which ones. It said it would not comment further. |
The other military installations have not been named by Danish state media. | The other military installations have not been named by Danish state media. |
Danish authorities have not speculated as to who might be behind the drone activity. | |
Some 3,500 people work at Karup airbase, which is home to all of the Danish Armed Forces' helicopters, airspace surveillance and parts of the Danish Defence Command. | Some 3,500 people work at Karup airbase, which is home to all of the Danish Armed Forces' helicopters, airspace surveillance and parts of the Danish Defence Command. |
The incursions come just days after drones over Danish airports - some of which also housed military facilities - forced airports to shut down and close their airspace. | The incursions come just days after drones over Danish airports - some of which also housed military facilities - forced airports to shut down and close their airspace. |
Denmark's Aalborg and Billund airports closed due to drones above the airport on Wednesday night, while three smaller airports reported drone activity but were able to continue operating. | Denmark's Aalborg and Billund airports closed due to drones above the airport on Wednesday night, while three smaller airports reported drone activity but were able to continue operating. |
On Monday, Copenhagen airport closed for several hours after a number of drones were spotted, while possible drone sightings also temporarily shuttered Oslo airport in Norway. | On Monday, Copenhagen airport closed for several hours after a number of drones were spotted, while possible drone sightings also temporarily shuttered Oslo airport in Norway. |
Germany's interior ministry said it was investigating after several drones were spotted on Friday over Schleswig-Holstein, the region that borders Jutland, the part of Denmark on the European mainland that is home to Karup airbase and the airports affected by Wednesday's incursions. | Germany's interior ministry said it was investigating after several drones were spotted on Friday over Schleswig-Holstein, the region that borders Jutland, the part of Denmark on the European mainland that is home to Karup airbase and the airports affected by Wednesday's incursions. |
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the threat from drones was high and that Germany would discuss the issue with European partners next month. | |
Meanwhile, Police in Norway told state media they were investigating possible drone sightings at Orland airbase, to the west of the country, where its F-35 fighter jets are stationed. | |
Drone activity also delayed flights on Friday at Vilnius airport in Lithuania, which shares a land border with Russian territory, according to state media. | Drone activity also delayed flights on Friday at Vilnius airport in Lithuania, which shares a land border with Russian territory, according to state media. |
Watch: Object seen flying away from Aalborg airport as drones disrupted flights on Wednesday | Watch: Object seen flying away from Aalborg airport as drones disrupted flights on Wednesday |
There are suspicions that Wednesday's wave of drone incursions may have been part of a Russian strategy of indirect aggression towards Nato states supporting Ukraine in its war with Russia - though this connection has not been proven. | There are suspicions that Wednesday's wave of drone incursions may have been part of a Russian strategy of indirect aggression towards Nato states supporting Ukraine in its war with Russia - though this connection has not been proven. |
The Russian embassy in Copenhagen has denied "absurd speculations" of its involvement in what it described as "staged provocations". | The Russian embassy in Copenhagen has denied "absurd speculations" of its involvement in what it described as "staged provocations". |
Denmark's defence minister said the "hybrid attack" was the work of a "professional actor" but appeared to have been launched locally. | Denmark's defence minister said the "hybrid attack" was the work of a "professional actor" but appeared to have been launched locally. |
A hybrid attack uses a mix of military and non-military tactics and is designed to interfere with a nation's infrastructure or institutions. | A hybrid attack uses a mix of military and non-military tactics and is designed to interfere with a nation's infrastructure or institutions. |
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. | 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. |
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 separate incidents. | 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 separate incidents. |
Romania, another Nato member, also said a Russian drone had breached its airspace. | Romania, another Nato member, also said a Russian drone had breached its airspace. |
Russia did not comment on the incident in Romania, but it denied violating Estonia's airspace and it said the Polish incursion was not deliberate. | Russia did not comment on the incident in Romania, but it denied violating Estonia's airspace and it said the Polish incursion was not deliberate. |
After Monday's incident in Copenhagen, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Russian involvement could not be ruled out. | After Monday's incident in Copenhagen, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Russian involvement could not be ruled out. |
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has called the allegations "unfounded". | Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has called the allegations "unfounded". |