The drone incursion that stopped flights at Copenhagen airport on Monday night was the most severe attack on Danish infrastructure so far, according to Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
Kastrup airport in Copenhagen was forced to shut for several hours following the sighting of multiple drones. It says something about the times we live in and what we as a society must be prepared to deal with, Frederiksen told reporters.
She mentioned that Russian involvement could not be ruled out, while Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described the suggestions as unfounded. Furthermore, the Danish PM linked the incursion to a pattern of recent drone incidents in Poland and Romania, as well as violations of Estonian airspace by Russian military jets.
Frederiksen indicated that the motive behind the drone presence in Denmark was likely to disrupt, create unrest... to see how far you can go and test the limits. Danish intelligence also echoed these sentiments, highlighting the country’s growing threat of sabotage.
The incident disrupted air travel for approximately 20,000 passengers until operations resumed post-midnight. Neighboring Norway faced similar disruptions with Oslo airport closing due to possible drone sightings following the events in Denmark.
Danish police expressed uncertainty regarding the identity of the drone operators but noted that the actions displayed sophistication, hinting at a capable actor behind the operation. This pattern of drone incursions is interpreted as a strategic effort to test the resolve of European defense capabilities amidst escalating tensions stemming from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
As tensions continue to rise, NATO allies have pledged increased air defense measures in Eastern Europe, highlighting ongoing concerns over Russian military activities near European airspace.
