Denmark reports renewed drone sightings; bans civilian drones ahead of EU summit as NATO boosts Baltic vigilance
Denmark reported renewed drone sightings over multiple airports and military sites including Karup, Skrydstrup and the Jutland Dragoon Regiment—incidents that forced temporary airport closures, were described by officials as a "hybrid attack," and have prompted consultations with NATO and the EU as authorities say some drones may have been launched locally. Ahead of an EU summit Denmark temporarily banned civilian drone flights with stiff penalties, deployed mobile radar and accepted allied help — Germany sending the frigate FGS Hamburg and C‑sUAS capabilities and Sweden lending anti‑drone systems — while also proposing laws to allow infrastructure owners to shoot down hostile drones; Norway reported a seizure and Moscow denied involvement.
📊 Analysis & Commentary (1)
"An opinion critique arguing that Europe has repeated the mistakes of the Danish cartoons affair — privileging appeasement, censorship and defensive security gestures over principled defense of free speech and liberal norms, with concrete contemporary parallels in Danish and wider European policy responses."
📰 Sources (5)
- Danish transportation ministry issued a temporary ban on all civilian drone flying in Danish airspace from Monday to Friday ahead of the EU summit, with fines or up to two years' imprisonment for violations.
- The German air‑defense frigate FSG Hamburg has arrived in Copenhagen to strengthen surveillance of Danish airspace in connection with the summit.
- Germany will provide 'Counter‑small Unmanned Aircraft Systems' (C‑sUAS) capabilities at Denmark's request, and Sweden has pledged to lend a military anti‑drone capability.
- Danish officials have proposed legislation to allow infrastructure owners to shoot down hostile drones, and mobile radar installations have been deployed near affected sites.
- Names specific additional Danish sites reportedly overflown: Skrydstrup Air Base and the Jutland Dragoon Regiment.
- Confirms reports of drones both inside and outside Karup Air Base fence at about 8 p.m. local time (per DR and police duty manager Simon Skelkjær).
- Notes Denmark accepted Sweden's offer to lend a military anti‑drone capability ahead of an EU summit.
- Quotes Danish Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard saying the goal of the flyovers is to 'sow fear and division' and that Denmark will seek additional ways to neutralize drones.
- Drones were observed over multiple Danish Defense locations including Karup, Denmark's largest military base.
- Norwegian police reported possible drone sightings near a central Norway air force base that houses F‑35 fighters.
- Danish officials confirmed capabilities were deployed to respond to the overnight sightings and reiterated they are "mulling" responses while not immediately triggering Article 4.
- Denmark is considering triggering NATO Article 4 after drone sightings forced closure of Aalborg Airport (reported Sept. 24–25, 2025).
- Officials described the incidents as a 'hybrid attack' and said some drones were launched locally rather than from Russia (per BBC/Euronews reporting cited).
- Denmark reached out to NATO and the European Commission; European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen commented the drone incidents are part of a 'pattern of persistent contestation' at borders.
- Denmark’s Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen labeled the incursions a 'hybrid attack' and said different types of drones were spotted near critical infrastructure and a military air base.
- Billund Airport was closed for about one hour and another airport used for commercial and military flights was closed for about three hours after drone sightings; similar drone patterns were seen near Copenhagen Airport on Sept. 22, 2025.
- Denmark has reached out to NATO and plans to consult the EU; Norway reported seizing a drone near Oslo airport, and the Kremlin (spokesperson Dmitry Peskov) denied involvement.