Russia’s Shadow Fleet Drone Campaign in Europe

Russia’s shadow fleet has initiated a drone campaign across Europe, targeting military sites and testing NATO’s air defenses, as reported by Jennifer Griffin. The International Institute for Strategic Studies highlighted 144 suspected drone incidents near sensitive locations in Germany, France, and the UK.

A drone carrying explosives was discovered near a Ukrainian plane at Germany’s Leipzig/Halle Airport late Tuesday. This incident prompted authorities to describe it as ‘a new quality of danger.’ According to the Associated Press, the airport temporarily closed both runways, leading to flight diversions.

Another flying object was detected near the airport just before midnight. This led to additional flight diversions, including one passenger plane.

German police launched a significant response and investigation into these incidents. An airport worker found a drone near the south runway, equipped with an unknown explosive device. Authorities used an explosives-disposal robot to disable it.

The Ukrainian plane, displaying the country’s blue-and-yellow colors and the slogan ‘Be Brave Like Kherson,’ was involved in the incident. A second incident involved an unidentified flying object colliding with a cargo plane, causing it to divert to Hannover Airport, located about 125 miles from Leipzig. The cargo aircraft sustained minor damage.

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt expressed concerns over this escalation. He noted that while drone threats have been known, a drone carrying explosives at an airport represents a new threat level. Dobrindt described this event as part of a ‘hybrid attack scenario.’ Questions regarding the type of explosives, the drone’s origin, and the responsible parties are under investigation.

Dobrindt emphasized that current assessments of significant danger were justified. Earlier, he established Germany’s Joint Centre for Countering Hybrid Threats to address various threats, including espionage and sabotage.

Leipzig/Halle Airport, a significant European cargo hub, also hosts Ukrainian Antonov transport aircraft. NATO acknowledged the incidents but directed inquiries to German authorities.

Ukraine’s ambassador to Germany, Oleksii Makeiev, implied that Russia might be involved, questioning, ‘Who else could it be but Russia?’ In 2024, an incendiary device at the airport’s logistics center, suspected of being part of a Russian sabotage operation, set fire to a freight container.