Denmark is on high alert after hundreds of possible drones were spotted in its airspace, with experts claiming Russia is to blame for the incursions. The warning was issued by Deputy Director of the Danish Agency for Community Safety, Henrik F. Brodersen, and Chief Inspector of the National Police, Peter Ekebjerg.
They told a press conference that over 500 possible drone sightings across the country were reported in just a 24 hour period as an investigation remains ongoing. Authorities are looking into the presence of Russian shadow fleet vessels in Danish waters, with the investigation covering land, sea, and air. Despite this, there is still no military threat to Denmark, Mr Brodersen and Mr Ekebjerg assured.
This comes after several unidentified drones shut down airspace over Copenhagen Airport on Monday night, prompting concerns that Russia could be behind the incident.
There was no indication that the operators of two to three drones intended to cause harm to anyone, police said, and the drones disappeared after several hours.
Denmark’s prime minister and NATO’s secretary-general said that Russian involvement couldn’t be ruled out. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called it “the most serious attack on Danish critical infrastructure to date”.
Officials chose not to shoot down the drones because the risk was too great because of the airport being full of passengers, the planes on the runways and nearby fuel depots.
Jes Jespersen, senior police inspector of the Copenhagen Police, called the operators “a capable actor” and said they seemed intent on showing off their skills and possibly practicing their techniques.
He said: “It all indicates that you are not out to attack anyone, but you are out to show off and maybe to practice.”
Billund Airport and Aalborg Airport were also both briefly closed. In Billund, the closure turned out to be because of a bright star, while police in Aalborg also could not verify the presence of a drone.
Denmark will join a group of front-line countries on Friday to discuss the European Union’s plans for a “drone wall”.
