Denmark Bans Civilian Drones As Security Concerns Rise Ahead of EU Summits 

Denmark is banning all civilian drone flights during the week, the government announced this week, following a series of unauthorized sightings above military sites and airports that authorities have described as “hybrid attacks,” Euronews reported. 

The Danish Transport Ministry said this week that the blanket ban is intended to “remove the risk that enemy drones can be confused with legal drones and vice versa.” Those violating the measure could face a fine or imprisonment of up to two years. 

The ban will not apply to military flights, state-run aviation, police and emergency drones, or municipal and health-related services.  

Last week, drone sightings forced a number of airports to temporarily close down, disrupting air traffic and stranding thousands of passengers. Although no one has claimed responsibility, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and other officials said the breaches amounted to “hybrid war” and hinted at Russian involvement. 

Over the weekend, Danish authorities spotted drones flying over military sites and airports, prompting the deployment of extra surveillance assets. 

The new restrictions come as Denmark prepares to host the European Council and the European Political Community summits this week, with Sweden and France saying they will help shore up the country’s defenses and anti-drone capabilities, Politico added. 

The worry over drones in Denmark follows escalating concern by other European Union countries over a series of airspace violations by Russian drones and aircraft this month: In early September, Poland downed 19 Russian drones that entered its airspace while the drones were attacking targets in Ukraine. 

A week later, NATO scrambled jets to intercept a Russian military aircraft that crossed into Estonian airspace. 

Security analysts and officials suggested that the incursions are part of Moscow’s strategy to test Europe’s defenses and will to engage, prompting European Union leaders to call this month for the creation of a “drone wall” aimed at shielding the bloc’s skies from hostile drones, according to Defense News. 

The system would integrate detection, tracking, and interception technologies, alongside land barriers, maritime defenses in the Black and Baltic Seas, and space-based surveillance.