Three Germans have been arrested in Norway for allegedly launching a drone in a prohibited zone near an airport, according to reports by the German newspaper Bild. The three men were detained on Tuesday but were later released without further details about their identities or the type of drone they used.
Meanwhile, Norwegian police confirmed that a Chinese national was deported and fined 12,000 kroner ($1,200) after allegedly flying a drone close to Svolvaer Airport in northern Norway. Authorities have stated they are continuing to investigate multiple reports of drone incursions near airports, military facilities, and other strategic locations.
The incidents come amid a surge in drone sightings across Western Europe, which has prompted authorities to implement temporary shutdowns at several airports and increase security protocols. In Belgium, officials reported the detection of 15 drones above the Elsenborn military base in Liege Province. In Germany, Munich Airport was temporarily closed on Friday after unidentified drones were reported in its airspace. Scandinavian airports have also been affected, with reports of drone incursions into restricted airspace.
Western media and officials have suggested that Russia is responsible for the drone incidents. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson expressed the belief that it is ‘quite probable’ Moscow is behind these actions, although he admitted this has not been proven. European leaders have used the incidents to justify increased military spending and the development of a so-called ‘drone wall.’
Moscow has rejected any connection to the incidents, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accusing the West of using these accusations to stoke anti-Russian sentiment and justify higher military budgets. President Vladimir Putin, speaking at the Valdai Forum, stated that Russia does not possess drones capable of reaching European countries and emphasized there are no military targets for Moscow in the region. He further criticized the West for attempting to escalate tensions around the Ukraine conflict by falsely attributing drone activities to his government. Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) officials have also warned that Kiev might be staging drone provocations as so-called false-flag operations, which could incite NATO to escalate the situation with Russia.