Anna Hartz
High-profile visits by world leaders often come with tight security. Even so, threats can emerge in unexpected ways.
During Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s recent visit to Dublin, Irish authorities detected drones flying over the city, raising alarms about possible coordinated attacks on EU and Ukrainian interests.
Unidentified Drones Over Dublin
Zelensky and his wife, Olena Zelenska, arrived in Dublin late Monday night, writes Digi24. The following day, the Ukrainian president met with Ireland’s President Catherine Connolly and Prime Minister Micheal Martin. He also addressed the Dublin parliament, saying that Ireland “understands the price of freedom.”
Police reported that unidentified drones were spotted over northeast Dublin as Zelensky’s plane landed shortly before 11:00 p.m. local time. Irish Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan called the incident a “coordinated threat.” He declined to speculate on who was behind the drones but said they appeared intended to put pressure on the EU and Ukrainian interests.
Despite the drone sightings, Minister O’Callaghan praised the security arrangements. “President Zelensky’s visit to Dublin last week was a success. The police did a very good job of ensuring that security was at a high level,” he said.
Hybrid Attacks
Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin also spoke about the incident. He described it as part of a “significant escalation in hybrid attacks” targeting EU member states. He announced that the Irish government will increase spending on defense capabilities ahead of Ireland’s six-month EU Council presidency, which begins on July 1 next year.
The National Security Council will provide a detailed report on the drone activity to the Prime Minister next week. Authorities are investigating the incident to determine its origins and potential threats.
Officials emphasized that while the drones were a serious concern, there was no immediate danger to President Zelensky during his visit. Security teams worked to monitor and contain the situation, allowing the scheduled meetings and public appearances to proceed without interruption.
The presence of drones over Dublin serves as a reminder of the evolving security challenges faced by governments hosting international leaders. It also underscores the growing importance of defending against hybrid threats, including aerial surveillance and potential attacks, in a world where geopolitical tensions are increasingly complex.
Sources: Digi24
