Camilla Jessen
First Poland, then Estonia, and yesterday Denmark.
After air traffic was halted at Copenhagen Airport due to drones, Danish officials warn that Europe must act.
Drone Chaos Hits Denmark
For over four hours on Monday, September 22, air traffic at Copenhagen Airport came to a standstill as unidentified drones were spotted flying over Danish airspace.
This marks the third such incident in recent months, following similar events in Poland and Estonia—and now, Danish officials are openly pointing to Russia as the likely source.
“We Are Looking Toward Russia”
At a press conference the following day, Flemming Drejer, operational chief at Denmark’s intelligence service PET, didn’t mince words.
“We do not deny that we are looking in the direction of Russia,” he said.
A Wake-Up Call for Europe
The incident has sparked alarm across the EU, where the threat of drone-based disruptions is being taken more seriously by the day.
“This attack is eerily reminiscent of a provocation from Moscow,” said Jens-Kristian Lütken, chairman of the European Movement. “It places strict demands on how the entire EU now approaches combating drones.”
According to Lütken, it’s no longer enough for countries to manage drone threats individually.
The solution must be collective—and urgent.
Why Ukraine Holds the Key
Lütken believes Europe needs to look toward a partner with unmatched experience: Ukraine.
In just a few years, Ukraine has built one of the world’s most advanced anti-drone defense systems, including custom-made interceptor drones and innovative tracking methods. These have proven vital in Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s daily drone attacks.
“We Need Ukraine Now”
During a visit to Lviv, Lütken observed firsthand how Ukrainian engineers repurpose cheap commercial drones—often sourced from China—and turn them into effective defense tools.
“The EU needs to enter into close cooperation with Ukraine on combating drones,” he said. “We need Ukraine now, because we cannot combat drone attacks without having Ukraine closely linked to us in the area of defense.”
A Threat to Civil Aviation
Beyond military concerns, Monday’s drone incursion has highlighted the growing risk to civilian infrastructure, especially commercial air travel.
“If the Russian drone overflights continue, it could have catastrophic consequences for flights in and out of Copenhagen,” said Lütken.
“Which airline will fly over Kastrup if the drone activity continues?”
A European Problem
While the drone threat most recently hit Denmark, Lütken warns that this is not a local issue.
He insists on collective EU action, arguing that the attacks represent a growing form of hybrid warfare—meant to destabilize and intimidate, without triggering full-scale military responses.
“This is not just a Polish, Estonian or Danish task,” he said. “It’s a European task.”
This article is made and published by Camilla Jessen, which may have used AI in the preparation
