In a significant security incident, Copenhagen Airport was forced to shut down after large drones flew over its airspace for several hours, prompting Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen to label it the “most serious attack on Danish critical infrastructure.” The incident, which also affected Oslo’s airport, led to the diversion and cancellation of dozens of flights, stranding thousands of travelers.
Frederiksen underscored the growing trend of drone-related attacks and airspace violations in Europe, referencing similar occurrences in Poland and Romania, as well as breaches of Estonian airspace by Russian military aircraft. She hinted at the possibility of Russian involvement in this latest incident but acknowledged that definitive evidence was lacking. In response, Moscow dismissed Frederiksen’s statements, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov branding them as “unfounded accusations.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also weighed in, condemning the actions as violations against Denmark’s sovereignty. The Danish police, however, have yet to identify the entities behind the drone operations. Police inspector Jens Jespersen noted the sophisticated nature of the operation, indicating it required considerable capability and planning.
Intelligence officials in Denmark have raised alarms about a “high threat of sabotage,” suggesting that the intent behind the drone activity may be less about direct attack and more about provoking stress and assessing the country’s response. Jespersen detailed how several large drones hovered over Copenhagen Airport on Monday evening for more than three hours, with police deciding against shooting them down due to safety concerns related to potential crashes in a populated area.
Investigation efforts involve cooperation between the Danish police, military, and intelligence services. Authorities suggest that the drones could have been controlled from significant distances, possibly even from a ship, given their varied flight paths.
While air traffic resumed early Tuesday morning, about 20,000 passengers were affected by the chaos, with multiple cancellations and delays persisting throughout the day. Travelers faced long lines and frustration as they attempted to rebook their flights amidst the disruption. One traveler expressed concern about the broader implications of Russia’s hybrid warfare tactics, reflecting a growing unease among passengers.
Oslo Airport also experienced significant interruptions, with reports of drone sightings leading to its temporary closure. Norwegian officials confirmed that three incidents of airspace violations by Russia had occurred in recent months. The country’s own intelligence services have commenced investigations into the matter.
In an unrelated incident, a Singaporean couple was arrested in Oslo on suspicions of illegally flying a drone, although authorities have clarified that there is no current link between them and the drone disturbances troubling the airports. The situation remains under close scrutiny by multiple national and international agencies as tensions in the region escalate over security concerns.
