The Danish government has labeled recent incidents as a “hybrid attack,” suggesting potential Russian involvement while admitting they lack clear evidence against Moscow. This week, several European airports faced shutdowns due to these attacks.
Four airports, including two with military airbases housing Denmark’s F-16 fighter planes, were closed for hours on Wednesday night after drones entered airspace. A representative from the Danish government confirmed this at a Thursday morning press conference. This marks the second instance this week of European airports facing disruptions from such events. Notably, major airports in Denmark and Norway are set to close again on Monday due to similar drone sightings.
The Danish government is under fire from opposition parties given the timing of these incidents. They were unable to effectively track or intercept the drones when they flew into civilian airspace. The Ministry of Defense stated they could have engaged drones near military bases if required, but opted against immediate anti-aircraft actions to avoid civilian risks.
Despite the situation, National Police Chief Thorkild Fogde highlighted the lack of concrete evidence linking anyone to these occurrences. He mentioned that the simultaneous appearance of drones in both military and civilian locations hints at a strategic “hybrid” attack pattern.
Fogde articulated the uncertainty surrounding the origin and intentions of the drones, stating, “We still can’t tell who is behind this, nor can we say exactly where the drone came from.”
The Justice Minister also supported the “hybrid attack” classification, a term commonly associated with Russian operations. He acknowledged the need for further investigation while noting that the intent behind such attacks seems to be instilling fear and division.
In similar remarks, the Minister of Defense characterized these incidents as systematic rather than the result of casual drone usage by hobbyists. Meanwhile, Russia has denied any involvement.
This week, Norway experienced a somewhat more successful response. After Oslo Airport was shut down due to a drone sighting on Monday, authorities managed to capture the drone and apprehend a man in his 50s suspected of ownership.
It’s still unclear if the drone events in Denmark are connected to those at Copenhagen, Aarhus, Esbjerg, Sønderborg, or Oslo Airport.
In light of sharp criticism from opposition parties, the Danish government plans to introduce new laws aimed at combating drone threats to airports. A representative from the left-wing Green party expressed strong concerns over the government’s lack of control over critical infrastructure.
He stated, “It’s alarming that, despite significant funding for defense, there is insufficient protection for our essential infrastructure.” Another comment added that ensuring the safety of citizens and infrastructure should be a top priority, which currently seems lacking. The opposition has called for discussions on how to address these issues.
Denmark is contemplating invoking Article 4 of the Alliance Establishment Convention, which involves notifying NATO about flight security challenges.
The drone incidents are now part of a broader context of hybrid warfare affecting European airports recently. Last week, British police arrested an individual in connection to a significant cyberattack that disrupted operations at several busy airports across Europe. The motives behind that attack remain unclear.
