'Hybrid attack intended to spread fear': Drone incursion near 4 Denmark airports; was Russia involved?

Danish authorities are investigating a wave of drone incursions that disrupted flights at four airports overnight, amid mounting concerns about whether Russia could be involved in what Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen has described as a “hybrid attack.”

At a press briefing on Thursday, Poulsen warned that hybrid operations targeting Denmark were becoming a persistent threat. “Hybrid attacks are here to stay,” he said, adding that the technology was developing rapidly and that “there is no single solution to the problem.” He described the latest incursion as appearing to be the work of a “professional actor” and admitted it was “worrying.”

The defence minister confirmed that last night’s drones had been launched “locally” rather than from long range. While he did not draw firm conclusions about who was responsible, he acknowledged there could be a link between the overnight incident and the earlier disruption in Copenhagen. “At this time, there is no evidence that Russia is behind the drone incursion,” he said, though he emphasised the seriousness of the threat.

Flights were suspended for several hours at Aalborg Airport in northern Denmark on Wednesday night after drones were spotted in the area. Police confirmed further activity near Esbjerg, Sønderborg and the Skrydstrup airbase, although those facilities did not close. The sightings followed a similar incident earlier this week at Copenhagen Airport, which Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called “the most serious attack on Danish critical infrastructure” to date.

Police have not yet identified the operators, and investigations are underway in cooperation with Danish intelligence and the military. Officials stressed there was no immediate threat to the public, but warned that the incursions were designed to create uncertainty. As Poulsen put it, such hybrid attacks are intended to “spread fear” — a challenge Denmark and its allies must now prepare to face for the long term.

Europe's drone problem

From the Baltics to the Black Sea, Nato countries face drone incursions and airspace violations, revealing significant gaps in drone detection and defense. Recent Russian drone infiltrations into Poland exposed Nato's struggle to counter low-cost drones, which are harder to detect and intercept than jets or missiles.

European defense leaders are discussing a “drone wall” to protect borders, but developing affordable, mass-producible technology remains challenging. Experts stress the need for rapid innovation and collaboration, as drone warfare evolves swiftly, with Russia using drones nightly in Ukraine, draining defenses and finances. Europe must act fast to close this dangerous vulnerability.