NATO has “enhanced vigilance” in the Baltic after what Copenhagen called an intrusion of unwelcome drones into Danish airspace, a spokesperson for the defense alliance said.
More drones were observed over Danish military sites overnight for the second straight day, Denmark’s army said yesterday, the latest in a string of sightings across the country over the past week.
“The Armed Forces can confirm that drones have been observed at several of the Armed Forces’ locations during the night. Several capacities were deployed,” the military said in a statement.
Photo: EPA
NATO’s reinforced measures “include multiple intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms and at least one air-defense frigate” in the region to the west of Russia, alliance spokesman Martin O’Donnell told a press conference overnight on Saturday to yesterday.
O’Donnell said NATO’s top brass “have been in constant contact with Danish leaders” about the drone incidents, the latest in a series of violations of the airspace of the alliance’s member countries.
Mysterious drone sightings across Denmark and Norway since Monday last week have prompted the closure of several airports, with Denmark hinting at possible Russian involvement. Several NATO countries say Russian fighter jets and drones have violated their airspace in Europe over recent weeks, accusing Moscow of testing the alliance.
Moscow on Thursday rejected any suggestion it was behind the drones, with Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov on Saturday warning NATO would risk a “decisive response” if it showed “any aggression against my country.”
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