Denmark has banned all civilian drone flights this week ahead of a European Union summit in Copenhagen, the country's transport minister said on Sunday.
The ministry stated that the decision was made in order to 'simplify security work' for the police, emphasizing concerns over 'foreign drones creating uncertainty and disruption.'
Recent weeks have seen reports of drones sighted above Danish military sites, including incidents as recent as Saturday.
In response to these sightings, defense ministers from ten EU countries have agreed to establish a 'drone wall' while NATO has improved vigilance across the Baltic region.
The transport ministry's announcement highlighted that police were on 'significantly increased alert' leading up to the summit, stressing their responsibility to ensure safety for both Danish citizens and foreign guests.
The drone ban will stay in effect until October 3, with actual violations potentially resulting in fines or imprisonment for up to two years.
The recent surge in unidentified drone activity began on September 22, prompting the closure of key airports in Copenhagen and Oslo. Aalborg and Billund airports also suspended operations due to drone presence last week.
Although authorities have yet to identify the operators of these drones, Denmark's defense minister referred to these incidents as a 'hybrid attack,' suggesting they may be linked to systematic operations.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen indicated that the investigation is ongoing and has not ruled out Russian involvement, although Moscow has firmly denied any association with the incidents.
The broader context of this situation places European nations on high alert, especially as Estonia and Poland have recently reported incursions involving Russian drones and military aircraft.
Alongside Denmark, countries such as Norway and Romania experienced separate drone sightings over the weekend, prompting increased military scrutiny and new legal measures to address the growing drone threat.
