Denmark revealed on Thursday that the recent drone intrusions causing temporary closures at two of its airports and disruptions to military facilities were hybrid attacks aimed at instilling fear. Despite the incidents occurring over the past few weeks, authorities are still uncertain about the perpetrators behind these actions.
The drone incidents, including one just two days prior, have highlighted the vulnerability of European airspace and the difficulties governments encounter in responding to such threats. Danish officials opted not to take down any drones in their airspace due to safety concerns, despite the disruption caused to air traffic.
Billund airport, Denmark’s second-largest, and Aalborg airport, serving commercial and military flights, were both temporarily shut down due to drone incursions late Wednesday. Other sightings were reported near airports in Esbjerg and Sonderborg, as well as at the Skrydstrup airbase and a military facility in Holstebro, all located on the Jutland peninsula.
Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen described the incidents as a systematic and deliberate attack, rather than a coincidence, emphasizing that there was no immediate military threat to the country. Residents witnessed the drones’ activities, with one local reporting green blinking lights near Aalborg airport.
The recent drone activities in Denmark follow the country’s decision to acquire long-range precision weapons to counter threats posed by Russia. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen termed this move a significant shift in Danish defense policy. Denmark’s increased military spending and plans to host Ukrainian missile fuel production near the Skrydstrup airbase have drawn criticism from Russia.
While Frederiksen linked the drone incidents to suspected Russian involvement, Russia’s ambassador to Denmark denied any connection to the Copenhagen airport event. The Danish government is evaluating whether to engage NATO under Article 4 for consultations on security concerns, allowing time to determine appropriate actions in response to the escalating drone threats.