Denmark has banned all civilian drone flights this week ahead of a European Union summit in Copenhagen, the country's transport minister said on Sunday.
The ministry said the decision was made in order to simplify security work for the police, and they could not accept foreign drones creating uncertainty and disruption.
Denmark is one of several European countries that have reported drone incidents in recent weeks, with unidentified drones sighted above Danish military sites as recently as Saturday.
Defence ministers from ten EU countries have agreed to create a drone wall in response to the sightings, and NATO says it has enhanced vigilance across the Baltic.
In their statement announcing the ban, the transport ministry emphasized that police were on significantly increased alert before this week's summit and needed to ensure safety for both Danes and visiting diplomats.
The ban is scheduled to remain in effect until October 3, with violations potentially leading to fines or imprisonment for up to two years.
In support of Denmark, Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced military assistance through anti-drone capabilities, while France will provide a specialist helicopter along with a team of experts.
The ban comes in the wake of drone sightings that have previously disrupted flight operations at major airports in Denmark, forcing airport closures as other nations ramp up security measures against similar risks.
Danish defence officials have labeled the drone activities as a hybrid attack, suggesting implications of organized disruption, with investigations continuing to determine the identity of the responsible parties. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen did not rule out Russian involvement, a claim Russia has firmly denied.
The heightened security measures come as Europe continues to feel the repercussions of increasing military tensions and hybrid threats in the region.
