Denmark Investigates Professional Drone Incursions Across Multiple Airports, No Evidence of Russian Involvement

Published: 25 September 2025. The English Chronicle Online

Denmark is currently grappling with a wave of drone incursions over several of its airports, which authorities have described as the work of a “professional actor.” The incidents, which occurred for the second time in a week, prompted temporary closures and disruptions across the country’s airspace, though officials emphasized that there is no evidence linking the activity to Russia.

On Wednesday evening, Aalborg Airport in northern Denmark was forced to shut down for several hours after green lights were observed in the sky above the facility. The incursion prompted immediate police and airport responses, while Billund Airport also briefly closed following reports of potential drone activity. Smaller airports in Esbjerg, Sønderborg, and Skrydstrup similarly reported sightings, reflecting the widespread nature of the event.

Earlier in the week, Copenhagen Airport had temporarily suspended operations due to a similar drone incursion, heightening concerns about the security of Danish airspace.

Speaking at a press conference, Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen characterized the drone activity as a “hybrid attack,” which he described as part of a “systematic operation.” Hybrid attacks, which combine military and non-military tactics, are intended to disrupt key national infrastructure and institutions. Poulsen confirmed that, despite the sophistication of the operation, the drones had been launched locally.

The presence of drones over active airport zones poses a serious risk of collisions with aircraft, particularly during take-off and landing, prompting authorities to halt air traffic as a precaution. During Wednesday’s disruption, at least three flights were diverted away from Aalborg Airport, while other flights experienced delays or were rerouted to alternate destinations.

State media reported that drones were first observed over Aalborg around 21:44 local time (19:44 GMT). Shortly thereafter, reports emerged of drone activity near Esbjerg, Sønderborg, and Skrydstrup airports. In Billund, the airport was closed for approximately one hour early on Thursday morning, until authorities assessed that the drones had cleared the airspace shortly before 03:00 local time. Danish police have since launched investigations to determine the origin and operators of the devices.

Despite speculation regarding Russian involvement in similar hybrid attacks in Europe, Poulsen stated there is no evidence implicating Russia in these incursions. The Russian embassy in Copenhagen dismissed such claims as “absurd speculations,” describing the incidents as “staged provocations” likely intended to serve as a pretext for escalating tensions over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Nevertheless, Europe remains on high alert for potential incursions. Last week, Estonia and Poland requested consultations with other NATO members after multiple Russian drones reportedly entered Polish airspace, and MiG-31 jets were sighted in Estonian territory. Romania also reported a Russian drone breach. Russia has denied any deliberate violations of airspace in Estonia and Poland and declined to comment on the Romanian incident. Suspicious drones have additionally been observed over Germany and Sweden, though direct attribution remains unproven.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen emphasized that Russian involvement in the Copenhagen drone incident could not be entirely ruled out, calling it “the most severe attack on Danish infrastructure so far.” The previous week’s incursion also temporarily disrupted Oslo Airport in Norway. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, however, dismissed the allegations as “unfounded.”

Authorities confirmed that Denmark’s military operations were affected, as Aalborg Airport doubles as a military base and Skrydstrup houses a significant airbase. Despite having the technical capability to neutralize the drones, officials opted not to shoot them down due to safety concerns for surrounding populations. “If we get the opportunity, we will take down the drones,” stated Chief Inspector Jesper Bøjgaard Madsen. Danish police further urged the public to maintain a safe distance from affected areas, although no immediate threat to civilians was reported.

Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard remarked that hybrid threats are “here to stay,” signaling the evolving nature of security challenges faced by Denmark and its European partners. Poulsen highlighted that an EU-level meeting scheduled for Friday would focus on enhancing drone preparedness across Europe. Earlier this month, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed establishing a so-called “drone wall,” aimed at early detection and neutralization of potential incursions, particularly those suspected to originate from Russia.

The international response underscores the gravity of these events. US President Donald Trump has publicly advocated that NATO nations consider intercepting Russian aircraft in their airspace, while NATO itself has reaffirmed that it will employ “all necessary military and non-military tools” to defend its members. Secretary General Mark Rutte noted, “We are a defensive alliance, yes, but we are not naive, so we see what is happening,” reflecting NATO’s heightened vigilance following recent incursions.

As investigations continue, Danish authorities are determined to identify those responsible and prevent further disruptions to both civilian and military aviation. The incidents underscore the complex and evolving threats posed by unmanned aerial systems and hybrid tactics in Europe’s security landscape.