The Denmark drone incursion in September 2025 marked one of the most alarming incidents of hybrid warfare in Europe to date.
A series of mysterious UAV flights disrupted airports, hovered near military bases, and forced NATO to confront a growing challenge: unmanned aerial threats that can bypass traditional defenses.
A Timeline of the Denmark Drone Provocations
On September 22, Copenhagen Airport was forced to suspend operations for nearly four hours after “two or three large drones” appeared in the airspace.
Denmark said drones that halted flights at its main airport were the most serious attack yet on its critical infrastructure and linked them to a series of suspected Russian drone incursions and other disruptions across Europe.
The UAVs switched lights on and off, disappeared after several hours, and were never neutralized. The disruption caused cancellations, diversions, and widespread panic.
Just days later, the drone incidents expanded to Aalborg Airport, Esbjerg, Skridstrup, and Sonderborg. These were not random locations: Aalborg houses Denmark’s elite Jægerkorps special operations unit and its fleet of Hercules transport aircraft, while Skridstrup is a key base for F-16 fighter jets.
The appearance of UAVs near such strategic sites underscored that the events were more than a nuisance—they were a direct threat to national security.
Hybrid Warfare and Russia’s Shadow
Danish leaders have spoken of a hybrid war against Denmark, despite the lack of official evidence. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described the UAV activity as “a serious attack on Denmark’s critical infrastructure” and warned that the incidents may be “only the beginning.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed these concerns, calling the drone incursions “systematic attempts” to destabilize Europe. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius went further, saying, “We are not at war, but we are no longer at peace either.”
Many observers point to Russia as the likely culprit, given its track record of testing NATO defenses with cyberattacks, sabotage of pipelines and cables, and UAV incursions into Poland, Romania, and the Baltic states.
Why Denmark Was Targeted
Denmark is a prime target for hybrid operations:
- It is one of Ukraine’s strongest allies, donating F-16s, financing weapons production, and hosting Ukrainian defense industries.
- It currently holds the presidency of the EU Council and is central to new sanctions against Russia.
- Its “safe” location across the Baltic makes it a symbolic and practical testing ground for Kremlin strategies.
In this context, the Denmark drone attack looks like a calculated move—probing defenses, spreading fear, and showcasing vulnerabilities.
NATO’s Response and Strategic Implications
Following the incidents, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte assured that the alliance takes the events “very seriously.” Denmark is considering invoking Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which allows members to request consultations when security is threatened.
The Danish government has already announced the urgent purchase of interceptor drones to counter UAVs, new legislation empowering infrastructure operators to act against drones, and enhanced intelligence-sharing with EU and NATO partners.
Meanwhile, the EU is accelerating plans for a “drone wall” that will include frontier states and Ukraine, creating an integrated defense network against UAV threats.
Public Criticism of the Government’s Preparedness
Despite the swift response, Danish media and opposition figures criticized the authorities for being unprepared. Commentators described the press conferences as “a PR disaster,” with no clear answers on why the drones were not shot down or tracked.
Defense journalists pointed out that, even after years of war in Ukraine, where drones dominate the battlefield, Denmark lacks adequate countermeasures. “It is humiliating, and I have no words to describe how bad it looks,” remarked Peter Ernstved Rasmussen of OLFI.
What Comes Next for Europe
The Denmark drone attack is more than a national security scare—it’s a test for NATO as a whole. If UAVs can shut down airports and threaten air bases in Denmark, they could potentially use similar tactics elsewhere in Europe.
The incidents highlight urgent priorities: developing real-time detection and interception systems, coordinating cross-border airspace security, and treating hybrid warfare as an evolving battlefield requiring both military and civilian readiness.
Frederiksen cautioned that we are not engaged in a traditional war. But hybrid warfare has begun.”
Was a Russian ship the drone launch platform?
As speculation started, Danish media uncovered a possible source of the UAVs. The tabloid Ekstra Bladet reported that a Russian military vessel with its transponder turned off had been stationed just 12 km off Langeland Island in southern Denmark.
Though more than 100 km from Copenhagen and 200 km from Aalborg, experts suggest such a ship—or even a disguised civilian tanker from the so-called “shadow fleet”—could have been used to launch drones undetected.
The Danish National Police declined to confirm the report but admitted that the possibility of a vessel serving as a UAV launch platform is under investigation. If proven, this would underscore how hybrid warfare tactics are increasingly mobile, covert, and difficult to trace back with certainty.
