Denmark on High Alert as Drones Disrupt Multiple Airports in Suspected Hybrid Attack
Drone sightings at multiple Danish airports, including Copenhagen and Aalborg, have caused disruptions. Officials are investigating these as serious hybrid attacks, suspecting Russian involvement.
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Overview
- Recent drone sightings halted flights at Aalborg and three other Danish airports, following a nearly four-hour closure at Copenhagen Airport, causing significant disruptions.
- Danish officials, including the Minister of Justice, believe these widespread drone flyovers constitute a serious hybrid attack intended to sow fear and division.
- Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen characterized the drone activity as the most serious attack on Danish critical infrastructure to date, underscoring the incident's gravity.
- Danish police are actively investigating the drones' origin, suspecting highly capable operators and linking these events to broader hybrid attacks across Europe.
- The Danish PM suggested Russian involvement in these drone sightings, aligning with similar incursions in other European airspaces, cannot be ruled out, raising Europe's alert.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover this story neutrally, focusing on factual reporting of drone incidents at Danish airports and official responses. They present statements from Danish authorities regarding the nature of the incidents and potential motivations without adopting evaluative language themselves. The coverage emphasizes the ongoing investigation and lack of immediate clarity on perpetrators or connections between events, maintaining an objective stance.
"Authorities said there was no danger to the public."
NPR"Authorities said they were unable to neutralize the drones but added there was no threat to the public."
ABC News"Authorities said there was no danger to the public."
Associated Press"Drone sightings closed airports in Norway and Denmark, with Europe already on alert after airspace violations by Russian aircraft."
Semafor"The drone incursion that stopped flights at Copenhagen airport on Monday night was "the most severe attack on Danish infrastructure so far"."
BBC News"The incident clearly reflects an attempt to provoke NATO countries into direct military confrontation with Russia."
NBC News"Authorities couldn't rule out the possibility of the drones being part of a Russian hybrid attack."
ABC News"Flights at the airport resumed early Tuesday, though delays and cancellations continued through the morning."
ABC News"Copenhagen Airport has reopened after being closed due to drone activity."
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Center (9)
FAQ
The airports affected were Aalborg, Esbjerg, Sonderborg, Skrydstrup, and Copenhagen airports.
Danish officials suspect Russian involvement because the incidents resemble similar drone and airspace violations in other European countries, including recent Russian drones and fighter jets breaches of NATO airspace, suggesting a coordinated hybrid attack aimed at European critical infrastructure.
Authorities have authorized shooting down drones in future incidents, are investigating the drone origins with suspicion of highly capable operators, have engaged NATO and the EU, and have decided to purchase a ground-based air defense system, though it may not be fully effective against the types of drones used.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described the drone activity as the most serious attack on Denmark's critical infrastructure to date, highlighting the severity and threat of the incidents.
Yes, similar drone incidents disrupted flights at Oslo airport in Norway, which was shut down for about three hours, indicating a pattern of drone incursions in the European region.
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