Drones have been observed flying near Danish military installations, including the nation’s most significant airbase. This activity has led to brief closures of airspace to commercial traffic, marking the latest in a series of unsettling drone incidents across Denmark this week. Similar sightings have also been reported in Germany, Norway, and Lithuania, sparking concerns about potential Russian involvement and Denmark’s vulnerability to such aerial incursions.
Authorities in Denmark have described the events as a potential “hybrid attack” but have stated there is currently no evidence directly linking Moscow to the incidents. The latest observation occurred on Friday evening, lasting several hours. While the airspace above the affected base was temporarily closed, Danish officials noted it had minimal impact as no commercial flights were scheduled during that period. Police are collaborating with the military in their investigation, but declined to comment on the origin of the drones, as none were intercepted.
Several other military sites across Denmark have also reported drone activity, though these locations have not been publicly identified. Danish authorities have refrained from speculating on the perpetrators behind these drone sightings.
Karup airbase, a major hub for the Danish Armed Forces, is home to all military helicopters, air surveillance units, and parts of the Danish Defence Command. The recent drone activity follows closely on the heels of similar incidents at Danish airports earlier in the week, some of which also house military facilities. On Wednesday night, Aalborg and Billund airports experienced closures due to drone activity, while three smaller airports managed to continue operations despite reported sightings.
These events echo similar incidents internationally. On Monday, Copenhagen Airport experienced several hours of disruption following drone sightings. Oslo Airport in Norway also reported temporary closures due to possible drone activity. In Germany, authorities are investigating multiple drone sightings over Schleswig-Holstein, a region bordering Denmark, with the Interior Minister highlighting the significant threat posed by such activities and the need for broader European discussion.
Police in Norway are also investigating reported drone sightings at the Orland airbase, where the nation’s F-35 fighter jets are stationed. Additionally, drone activity reportedly caused flight delays at Vilnius Airport in Lithuania, a country sharing a border with Russia.
While Danish officials have indicated the “hybrid attack” may have been locally orchestrated by a “professional actor,” the possibility of Russian involvement, particularly in the context of broader European security concerns and ongoing conflicts, has not been dismissed. Russia has denied these speculations, labeling them as “absurd provocations.”