Denmark warns of Russian 'hybrid war' after repeated drone incursions; NATO and U.S. rush forces to Copenhagen
Denmark warned of a Russian "hybrid war" after repeated drone incursions over airports and military sites — including Billund, Aalborg, Karup, Skrydstrup and the Jutland Dragoon Regiment — that forced temporary airport closures and, officials say, aim to "sow fear and division." Copenhagen has reached out to NATO and the EU and is considering triggering Article 4 as allied counter‑drone assets from Germany and Sweden are deployed, Norwegian authorities reported seizing a drone near Oslo, and the Kremlin denies involvement.
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📌 Key Facts
- Danish officials — including Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen — have labeled repeated drone sightings a “hybrid” attack, and the Danish Defence Intelligence Service described the campaign as hybrid warfare combining political, economic, information and military means.
- Repeated drone incursions have flown over and near civilian airports and multiple military sites, prompting temporary closures and disruptions (e.g., Billund Airport closed ~1 hour, another airport ~3 hours, similar sightings near Copenhagen Airport and reported closures at Aalborg) and reports of drones both inside and outside Karup Air Base’s fence.
- Specific Danish military locations reportedly overflown include Karup (Denmark’s largest base), Skrydstrup Air Base, and the Jutland Dragoon Regiment; authorities deployed capabilities overnight to respond and have installed mobile radar near affected sites.
- Denmark has reached out to NATO and the EU and is consulting allies; Copenhagen has considered (but not immediately triggered) NATO Article 4, and the European Commission framed the incidents as part of a “pattern of persistent contestation.”
- Allied support was mobilized: Germany sent the frigate FSG Hamburg and offered Counter‑small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C‑sUAS), Sweden lent a military anti‑drone capability (accepted by Denmark), and additional allied capabilities and surveillance were deployed ahead of an EU summit.
- Denmark implemented domestic countermeasures: a temporary ban on all civilian drone flights during the EU summit (with fines or up to two years’ imprisonment for violations), proposals to allow infrastructure owners to shoot down hostile drones, and deployment of mobile radar and other counter‑UAS assets.
- Senior Danish leaders issued strong warnings: Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called the situation “the most difficult and dangerous situation since the end of the Second World War” and pointed at Russia as the only country willing to threaten Denmark; Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard said the flyovers aim to “sow fear and division” and warned this is Denmark’s “new reality.”
- Attribution remains contested: some officials said some drones appear to have been launched locally rather than from Russia, Norway reported seizing a drone near Oslo airport and possible sightings near a Norwegian F‑35 base, and the Kremlin (spokesperson Dmitry Peskov) denied Russian involvement.
📊 Analysis & Commentary (1)
Europe Learned Nothing From the Danish Cartoon Affair
"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 (6)
Denmark prepares for a Russian 'hybrid war' after repeated drone spottings
New information:
- Direct quotes from Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen calling the situation 'the most difficult and dangerous situation since the end of the Second World War' and asserting 'there is only one country willing to threaten us and it is Russia.'
- Citation of the Danish Defence Intelligence Service describing the campaign as 'hybrid warfare' combining political, economic, information and military means.
- On‑the‑ground anecdotal reporting (hotel receptionist 'Trine') illustrating civilian alarm and local preparations, and a quote from Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard warning this is Denmark's 'new reality.'
Denmark reports drone sightings again at several military locations
New information:
- 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.
Danish defense ministry says drones spotted overnight at defense facilities
New information:
- 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.
NATO country reports drones over largest military base after airport attack, mulls response
New information:
- 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 considers triggering NATO Article 4 after drones fly over airports
New information:
- 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 calls drones spotted near airports a "hybrid attack"
New information:
- 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.