Copenhagen Airport Drone Sighting: Russia's Involvement Cannot Be Ruled Out, Danish PM Says
In a shocking incident that has left Denmark reeling, a drone sighting forced the closure of Copenhagen's Kastrup airport on Monday night, with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warning that Russian involvement cannot be ruled out.
The incident occurred at around 20:30 (18:30 GMT) when multiple drones were spotted in the vicinity of the airport, prompting authorities to shut down flights for several hours. According to Frederiksen, this was "the most severe attack on Danish infrastructure so far," and a stark reminder of the evolving security landscape.
"We live in times where we must be prepared to deal with such incidents," Frederiksen told reporters, emphasizing that the drone incursion was likely intended to create "unrest" and test the limits of Denmark's defenses. The Prime Minister also drew parallels between this incident and recent Russian drone incursions in Poland and Romania, as well as the violation of Estonian airspace by Russian fighter jets.
When asked about the possibility of Russian involvement, Frederiksen replied, "We cannot rule it out." Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov swiftly dismissed the allegations as "unfounded," but the Danish PM's concerns are not unfounded. Intelligence agencies have mirrored the findings, and experts warn that this incident highlights a growing trend of state-sponsored cyberattacks and drone-related threats.
The background to this incident is complex, with multiple factors at play. In recent years, there has been an uptick in drone-related incidents worldwide, often linked to state actors or terrorist organizations seeking to disrupt critical infrastructure. The use of drones as a tool for espionage, sabotage, or even terror attacks has become increasingly sophisticated.
As the world grapples with this new reality, experts caution that the implications are far-reaching. "This incident serves as a stark reminder that our defenses must be constantly evolving to keep pace with emerging threats," said Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a cybersecurity expert at the University of Copenhagen.
The current status is one of heightened alertness, with authorities scrambling to review security protocols and assess potential vulnerabilities. The Danish government has promised a thorough investigation into the incident, which will likely shed more light on the motivations behind this brazen attack.
In the meantime, the international community is watching closely, as this incident serves as a wake-up call for nations worldwide. As Frederiksen noted, "We must be prepared to deal with such incidents, and we must work together to prevent them from happening in the first place."
Byline: Laura Gozzi, Reuters
Date: [Insert Date]
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
*Reporting by Bbc.*