Europe on alert as wave of mysterious drone incursions hits skies

Reports of unidentified drones in European airspace have surged dramatically in recent months, raising security concerns from the Baltics to the North Sea. At least 10 countries including Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Denmark, Norway, Estonia, Germany, France, and Sweden, have reported suspicious drone flights, many linked to Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The incidents have forced airport closures, military responses, and fresh NATO commitments to strengthen air defences, Euronews article points out.

Lithuania

Lithuania has faced multiple incursions this summer. On July 10, a Russian drone crossed into its airspace, followed by another incident on July 28 when a drone strayed from Russia and was later discovered armed with explosives in a military training area.

Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovile Sakaliene said the aircraft was likely intended for Ukraine. Vilnius appealed to NATO for support, with Secretary-General Mark Rutte pledging immediate steps to boost Baltic air defence.

Poland

Poland has endured some of the most aggressive activity. On September 9, at least 19 Russian drones entered its airspace, prompting the armed forces to shoot them down in what Warsaw called an “act of aggression.”

It marked Poland’s first direct engagement with Russian assets since 2022. Days later, allied aircraft were deployed to respond to nearby strikes in Ukraine.

The capital also came under scrutiny: on September 15, a drone was neutralised over the Belvedere presidential palace. The following day, police detained a 17-year-old Belarusian woman and a 21-year-old Ukrainian man accused of flying drones over government buildings.

Romania and Latvia

Romania’s skies have been repeatedly tested. On September 8, a Russian drone entered its airspace during overnight attacks on Ukraine, forcing F-16 fighters into action. The Defence Ministry condemned Russia’s “serious contradiction” of international law.

Another drone appeared on September 13 near the village of Chilia Veche before disappearing from radar. Identified as a Shahed-136 kamikaze drone, it did not threaten civilians, though Romanian law now allows drones to be shot down.

On the same day as Romania’s first incident, Latvia reported a drone crossing from Belarus. President Edgars Rinkevics said Riga was investigating in close coordination with NATO allies.

Denmark and Norway

In late September, Denmark faced one of the most disruptive incursions. Drones appeared over five major airports, including Copenhagen and Aalborg, forcing temporary closures.

Authorities described it as a coordinated hybrid attack and did not rule out Russian involvement. Denmark’s deputy prime minister Troels Lund Poulsen said Denmark even considered invoking NATO’s Article 4.

On September 23, Norway briefly shut Oslo airport after sightings diverted flights. Both countries are jointly investigating. Danish forces later reported drones over military sites including Skrydstrup Air Base, prompting a nationwide ban on civilian drone flights from September 29 to October 3 during the EU summit in Copenhagen.

Germany and Sweden loaned Denmark anti-drone systems for the summit’s protection.

France

In France, unidentified drones were spotted on September 22 over the Mourmelon-le-Grand base, home to the 501 tank regiment that has trained Ukrainian soldiers. Officials stressed the drones were not military-operated and were larger than small commercial models. The incident triggered heightened security and a police investigation.

Germany

Northern Germany also reported drone activity on September 26, with authorities in Schleswig-Holstein stepping up defence in coordination with neighbouring states.

A national report by the German air navigation service (DFS) revealed 144 drone overflights logged this year, 35 of them near Frankfurt Airport. While most sightings were around airports, questions remain over espionage risks.

NATO and EU step up

The string of incidents has jolted European defences. NATO has pledged heightened vigilance in the Baltic states, while the European Union is advancing a “drone wall” initiative along its eastern frontier with Russia. 

From armed drones in Lithuania to mass incursions in Poland and airport shutdowns in Denmark, Europe’s skies have become a new front in hybrid warfare — blurring the line between nuisance and provocation, and testing the continent’s air security like never before.

By Sabina Mammadli