COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Airspace over Copenhagen Airport was temporarily shut down on Monday night following the presence of unidentified drones, raising concerns among officials about the possibility of Russian involvement in the incident.
Although police confirmed there was no indication that the drone operators intended to cause harm, the appearance of two to three drones caused significant disruption to air traffic at Scandinavia’s largest airport, leading to cancellations and delays.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen classified the drone incident as “the most serious attack on Danish critical infrastructure to date.” The situation heightened tensions in Denmark, especially given its geographical proximity to Russia and increasing security concerns in northern Europe.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the operators’ identity, stating it was “too early to say” whether Russia played a role in the incident. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed allegations of Russian involvement, claiming, “Every time we hear unfounded accusations, a party that takes a serious and responsible position mustn’t make such unfounded accusations again and again.”
Police officials opted against shooting down the drones due to safety risks associated with the busy airport environment, including the presence of passengers and aircraft on the runways. Senior police inspector Jes Jespersen described the drone operators as “a capable actor” who appeared to be demonstrating their skills rather than intending to cause harm.
Jespersen noted that the drones showcased various flight patterns, with lights turning on and off, suggesting the operators were possibly engaging in practice maneuvers.
Investigators are working to determine how the drones accessed the airport, whether it was via land or potentially by sea. After several hours of disruption, flights at the airport resumed early Tuesday, although interruptions continued throughout the day as air traffic normalized.
A related incident was reported at Oslo Airport in Norway on the same evening, where drone activities forced all traffic to be redirected to a single runway. Norwegian broadcaster NRK indicated that operations eventually returned to normal, but it remains unclear who was responsible for the Oslo drone sighting. Jespersen stated there was no immediate evidence linking the incidents in Copenhagen and Oslo, yet authorities would investigate any possible connections.
The heightened security concerns in northern Europe stem from escalating Russian aggression, prompting NATO to deliver warnings about airspace violations. Following the recent downing of Russian drones over Poland and a reported incursion of Russian fighter jets in Estonia, NATO reaffirmed its commitment to defend against any further breaches.
Anitta Hipper, a spokesperson for the European Commission, expressed the broader concern, stating, “And here we see a clear pattern: Russia is testing the European borders, also probing our resolve and undermining our security throughout.”
As Denmark prepares to participate in discussions with other frontline countries on the European Union’s plans for a “drone wall,” the implications of the drone incidents at Copenhagen Airport remain a pressing matter for both national and international security frameworks.
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