Denmark's Airports Disrupted by Suspected Russian Drone Activity: NATO Security Concerns Rise

Drones have been spotted flying over multiple Danish airports since Wednesday, causing significant disruptions. (Representational)

A Danish airport was briefly closed on Friday following another suspected drone sighting, marking the second closure within hours. This incident comes after Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described these drone activities as part of "hybrid attacks" potentially connected to Russia.

Since Wednesday, drones have been observed over several Danish airports, forcing one to shut down for hours. This follows an earlier incident that led to the closure of Copenhagen airport, and bears similarity to recent occurrences in Norway, drone incursions in Polish and Romanian airspace, and violations of Estonian airspace by Russian fighter jets—all intensifying tensions amid Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

"Denmark has been the victim of hybrid attacks over recent days," Prime Minister Frederiksen stated in a video message shared on social media Thursday, referring to unconventional warfare tactics. She cautioned that such drone incidents "could multiply."

While investigators have not yet identified those responsible, Frederiksen emphasized: "There is one main country that poses a threat to Europe's security, and it is Russia."

Moscow has firmly denied involvement in the Danish incidents, with its embassy in Copenhagen calling them "a staged provocation" in a social media statement.

Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard stated the attack's purpose was "to spread fear, create division and frighten us." He announced that Copenhagen would acquire enhanced capabilities to "detect" and "neutralize drones."

On Friday, Denmark will join other EU countries, primarily those along Russia's eastern border, for initial discussions on proposals to build an anti-drone "wall" defense system in response to escalating tensions with Moscow.

Drones were detected on Wednesday and early Thursday at airports in Aalborg, Esbjerg, Sonderborg, and at the Skrydstrup air base before departing on their own, according to police reports.

Aalborg airport in northern Denmark was initially closed for several hours and shut down again for approximately an hour from late Thursday into early Friday morning following another suspected sighting.

"It was not possible to take down the drones, which flew over a very large area over a couple of hours," explained North Jutland chief police inspector Jesper Bojgaard Madsen regarding the initial Aalborg incident.

Thomas Ahrenkiel, head of Denmark's military intelligence, stated at a news conference that they had been unable to identify who was operating the drones. However, intelligence chief Finn Borch warned: "The risk of Russian sabotage in Denmark is high."

Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen noted the flights appeared to be "the work of a professional actor... such a systematic operation in so many locations at virtually the same time." He added that it posed "no direct military threat" to Denmark.

Frederiksen confirmed on Thursday that she had discussed the incidents with NATO chief Mark Rutte. Lund Poulsen indicated the government was still considering whether to invoke NATO's Article 4, which allows any member state to request urgent consultations when it believes its "territorial integrity, political independence or security" are threatened.

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed that his country stood ready "to contribute to the security of Danish airspace."

Copenhagen is scheduled to host a European Union leaders' summit next week.

Police confirmed that investigations are ongoing in collaboration with Danish intelligence services and armed forces.

The drone activity has unsettled some Danish residents, including 85-year-old Birgit Larsen, who told AFP in central Copenhagen: "I feel rather insecure. I live in a country where there has been peace since 1945. I am not really used to thinking about war."

Others expressed less concern. "It's probably Russia, you know, testing the borders of Europe. They fly close to the borders and stuff and try to provoke, but not threaten," said 48-year-old Torsten Froling.

The drone incidents follow Denmark's announcement that it would acquire long-range precision weapons for the first time, citing that Russia would pose a threat "for years to come."