Denmark Shuts Airport Twice Over Drone Scare

Denmark was forced to shut down an airport twice within hours after suspected drone sightings sparked security fears, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has confirmed.

According to a report by PUNCH, drones have been spotted flying over several Danish airports since Wednesday, prompting emergency closures. Copenhagen Airport and other regional hubs were temporarily shut as authorities scrambled to assess the threat.

The incidents come amid heightened tensions in Europe following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Similar drone incursions have also been reported in Norway, Poland, and Romania, alongside Russian fighter jets violating Estonian airspace.

“Over recent days, Denmark has been the victim of hybrid attacks,” Prime Minister Frederiksen said in a video message on Thursday. She warned that such drone flights “could multiply,” stressing that Russia remains the main threat to Europe’s security.

Denmark’s Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard said the aim of the attacks was “to spread fear, create division and frighten us,” while Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen described the incidents as “the work of a professional actor” after multiple drones were spotted at different locations almost simultaneously.

Police confirmed drone activity at Aalborg, Esbjerg, Sonderborg airports, and the Skrydstrup air base. Aalborg airport in northern Denmark was shut for several hours before closing again late Thursday into early Friday due to another suspected drone sighting.

“It was not possible to take down the drones, which flew over a very large area over a couple of hours,” said North Jutland chief police inspector Jesper Bojgaard Madsen.

Although Moscow has “firmly rejected” any involvement, calling the incidents “a staged provocation,” Danish intelligence chief Finn Borch stated: “The risk of Russian sabotage in Denmark is high.”

France has pledged support, with President Emmanuel Macron saying his country is ready “to contribute to the security of Danish airspace.” Denmark is also set to discuss an EU-wide “anti-drone wall” with other member states.

The scare has left many Danes unsettled. “I feel rather insecure. I live in a country where there has been peace since 1945. I am not really used to thinking about war,” said 85-year-old Birgit Larsen.

However, some remain less worried. “It’s probably Russia, you know, testing the borders of Europe. They fly close to the borders and stuff and try to provoke, but not threaten,” said 48-year-old Torsten Froling.

The drone incursions come just days before Copenhagen hosts a key EU leaders’ summit.