Denmark reports new drone sightings over its biggest military base

"Police said one to two drones were observed on Friday at about 8.15 pm (7.15pm local time) near and over Karup airbase, the country's biggest base that houses all of the armed forces' helicopters, airspace surveillance, flight school and support functions. Karup is also home to parts of the defence command, according to the military's website. A police spokesperson, Simon Skelkjaer, said police could not comment on where the drones came from, adding: We didn't take them down."

"The Karup base shares its runways with the Midtjylland civilian airport, which was briefly closed though no flights were affected as none were scheduled at that hour, Skelkjaer said. Mysterious drone observations across the Scandinavian country since Monday have prompted the closure of several airports. Drone reports shut Oslo airport in Norway for several hours earlier in the week, after drone incursions in Polish and Romanian territory and the violation of Estonian airspace by Russian fighter jets."

"The Danish prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, said on Thursday that over recent days, Denmark has been the victim of hybrid attacks. Investigators have so far failed to identify those responsible, but the Danish defence minister, Troels Lund Poulsen, said on Thursday the flights appeared to be the work of a professional actor. Frederiksen has pointed the finger at Russia: There is one main country that poses a threat to Europe's security, and it is Russia."

Unidentified drones flew over multiple Danish military sites, including Karup airbase, on Friday night, prompting joint police and military investigations. Karup houses helicopters, airspace surveillance, the flight school, support functions and parts of the defence command, and its runways were briefly closed alongside the adjacent Midtjylland civilian airport. Similar mysterious drone sightings since Monday have closed several Scandinavian airports and followed incursions in Poland, Romania and Estonian airspace. Danish leaders described the incidents as hybrid attacks and suggested a professional actor, with the prime minister naming Russia as the main security threat; Moscow denied involvement.

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