Drones target 4 Danish airports, snarling flights in ‘systematic’ and ‘hybrid attack’: officials

Drones descended on four Danish airports on Wednesday – including two that house military bases – in what authorities called a “hybrid attack” meant to sow fear and division.  

The unnerving aerial intrusions all happened around the same time and affected flights in the country as tensions have heightened in recent weeks due to mounting Russian aggression in the region.

Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen blamed a “professional actor” for the menacing drones, but did not directly point the finger at Moscow.

“It certainly does not look like a coincidence. It looks systematic. This is what I would define as a hybrid attack,” he said.

Aalborg Airport and another three airports in Esbjerg, Sønderborg and Skrydstrup were all targeted by the drones.

Aalborg in northern Denmark also serves as a military base, and Skrydstrup is an air base that has some military fighter jets.

The drone sightings started around 10 p.m. Wednesday and ended around 1 a.m., with Aalborg closed for a few hours.

Billund Airport was also closed temporarily after unverified reports of drones, the New York Times reported.

Danish Minister of Justice Peter Hummelgaard argued the flyovers were meant to fuel fear and division, and vowed to figure out more ways to quickly take them down.

While the drones appeared to be buzzing with their lights on, authorities did not shoot them down.

The drone activity Wednesday night into Thursday comes after another similar incident at Copenhagen Airport Monday night that grounded flights.

Russia’s embassy shot down growing speculation it was behind the drone incursions.

“It is evident that the incidents involving reported disruptions at Danish airports are a staged provocation,” the Embassy said in a statement.

“Undoubtedly, they will be used as a pretext for further escalating tension in the interests of forces seeking by all means to prolong the Ukrainian conflict and extend it to other countries. The Russian side firmly rejects the absurd speculations of involvement in the incidents.”

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said she was in touch with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, and the two agreed to work together to “ensure safety and security.”

The drone activity comes after Russian military jets entered Estonian airspace last week and Russian drones floated over Poland earlier this month.

With Post wires