Hybrid attacks or provocations? Drones spotted over Denmark’s largest military base, Norway reports similar activity

Drones of unknown origin have been spotted over Denmark’s largest military base and other defence sites, with Copenhagen calling the incidents a ‘hybrid attack’ and raising suspicions of Russian involvement.

Police confirmed that “one to two drones” were observed Friday evening near and over the Karup base in central Jutland, the hub of Denmark’s military operations. Karup houses all of the armed forces’ helicopters, airspace surveillance, flight school, and parts of the defence command. The base also shares its runways with the Midtjylland civilian airport, which was briefly closed during the incident, though no scheduled flights were affected.

Military officials told AFP that drones were seen at “several military sites” but declined to provide details. Police spokesman Simon Skelkjaer confirmed authorities did not shoot them down and are cooperating with the armed forces to trace their origins.

The latest sightings follow a string of mysterious drone incidents across Denmark and Norway since the start of the week. Norway’s joint headquarters said “at least two drones” were observed for around an hour in a restricted area near Ørland air base, home to the country’s F-35 fighter jets. “The sightings are probably drones but the investigation will find out what it was,” spokesman Brynjar Stordal told AFP, adding that they were not engaged by the military.

Escalating pattern of incidents

The drone activity has led to the temporary closure of multiple airports in Denmark and Norway, mirroring earlier intrusions over Polish and Romanian territory and airspace violations in Estonia by Russian fighter jets. The timing has amplified tensions in the region, already heightened by Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has described the incursions as “hybrid attacks” aimed at destabilising the country. “There is one main country that poses a threat to Europe’s security, and it is Russia,” she said, directly pointing the finger at Moscow.

Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen added that the flights appeared to be the work of a “professional actor.” Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard earlier argued the aim was “to spread fear, create division and frighten us.”

Russia, however, has denied involvement. Its embassy in Copenhagen dismissed the allegations as “a staged provocation,” rejecting claims of responsibility.

Security ahead of EU summit

The incidents come just days before Copenhagen is due to host an EU summit of government leaders on Wednesday and Thursday. To bolster security, Denmark has accepted Sweden’s offer to deploy its advanced anti-drone technology to protect the gathering.

The timing also coincides with Denmark’s recent announcement that it will acquire long-range precision weapons for the first time, citing the sustained threat posed by Russia. Justice Minister Hummelgaard said Copenhagen would also invest in new capabilities to detect and neutralise drones.

EU pushes for “drone wall”

The escalating incidents have also accelerated European defence discussions. Defence ministers from around 10 EU states agreed Friday to make a so-called “drone wall” a priority for the bloc. EU Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius told AFP that Europe must urgently learn from Ukraine’s experience.

“We need to move fast,” Kubilius said. “And we need to move, taking all the lessons from Ukraine and making this drone wall together with Ukraine.”

As the investigations continue, the drone sightings underscore both the vulnerabilities of European military infrastructure and the geopolitical pressures shaping regional security. For Denmark, the hybrid threat has quickly shifted from speculation to a tangible challenge at the heart of its defence operations.