- Copenhagen Airport Shut for Nearly Four Hours, 150 Flights Disrupted.
- Oslo Airport Closed After Drone Sighting, Raising Regional Security Concerns.
- Prime Minister Calls Attack Deliberate, Aims to Disrupt and Create Unrest.
Danish authorities have pinpointed three vessels linked to Russia as prime suspects in a significant drone attack that led to the temporary closure of Copenhagen Airport for nearly four hours on the night of September 22, affecting around 150 flights. Officials have labelled this incident as the most severe attack on Denmark’s critical infrastructure to date. Coinciding with this, Oslo Airport in Norway also shut down for three hours after drones were sighted, raising alarm bells about security across Northern Europe. Danish police reported that the drones, some of which had blinking lights, approached from various angles before vanishing, indicating a well-coordinated effort, reports Marine Insight.
A Calculated Disruption
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen characterised the attack as a calculated move intended to “disrupt and create unrest.” She pointed out parallels with recent drone incursions into Polish and Romanian airspace, as well as Russia’s recent breach of Estonian airspace.
Investigations Zero In on Suspected Vessels
Danish security forces and police are concentrating their investigations on three vessels that may have served as drone launch platforms or decoys. Authorities observed unusual movements and suspicious positions of these ships in the vicinity during the drone attacks. Some of the vessels displayed flags or registrations that didn’t match their activities, and certain ships were closely monitored by NATO warships throughout the incident.
Officials stressed that establishing direct involvement is challenging, as launch rails and control systems for drones can be swiftly removed, and crew members can easily switch to other vessels. Similar tactics have been noted in past incidents, necessitating thorough forensic investigations at sea.
Professional and Provocative Execution
Denmark’s main airport, which handles nearly 30 million passengers a year, was shut down completely, causing major flight disruptions. Officials described the attack as “professionally executed” and “provocative.”
Rising Security Concerns in Europe
This incident comes at a time of heightened tensions across Europe, marked by recent drone incursions, airspace violations, and cyberattacks. NATO and European security agencies have raised alarms about the increasing threats posed by unmanned aerial systems. Russian officials denied involvement. Vladimir Barbin, Russia’s ambassador to Denmark, said the incident “reveals a clear desire to provoke NATO countries into direct confrontation.”
Danish police are exploring all avenues, including the possibility that the drones were launched from nearby vessels. A Royal Danish Navy ship has been patrolling the waters close to the incident, while Norwegian security officials are keeping a close eye on the situation and working in coordination with both national and international partners.
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Source: Marine Insight