Denmark Bans Civilian Drone Flights Ahead of Key EU Summit Amid Rising Security Concerns
Denmark has temporarily banned all civilian drone flights across the country this week as part of heightened security measures ahead of a major European Union summit in Copenhagen. The decision, announced by the Danish Transport Ministry on Sunday, underscores growing concerns over drone activity across Europe, particularly near sensitive sites and airports.
Why Denmark Issued the Ban
According to Transport Minister Thomas Danielsen, the suspension of civilian drone operations was introduced to “simplify security work” for Danish police and authorities tasked with safeguarding the summit. Officials stressed that they could not risk “foreign drones creating uncertainty and disruption” during such a high-profile gathering.
The nationwide ban will remain in place until 3 October. Violators face severe penalties, including hefty fines or up to two years in prison.
Denmark currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, making this week’s summit in Copenhagen especially significant. Security forces are on what the ministry described as a “significantly increased alert” to protect both Danish citizens and visiting international leaders.
A Surge in Drone Sightings Across Europe
The move comes after a sharp rise in drone-related incidents in Denmark and other European nations. Just last week, unidentified drones were spotted hovering over Danish military facilities, raising alarm within defense circles.
Reports of drone incursions began on 22 September, when suspicious activity forced temporary closures at both Copenhagen Airport and Oslo Airport. Shortly after, Denmark’s Aalborg and Billund airports also experienced operational disruptions linked to drone sightings.
So far, Danish investigators have not identified who is behind these incidents. Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen described them as part of a possible “hybrid attack” and suggested they were likely elements of a “systematic operation” rather than isolated acts.
NATO and EU Respond with Stronger Measures
The unexplained drone activity has not been confined to Denmark. Defense ministers from 10 EU countries recently agreed to build a “drone wall” to counter aerial threats and prevent hostile drones from penetrating European airspace.
NATO has also stepped up monitoring efforts, confirming that it has “enhanced vigilance” across the Baltic region following the surge in drone activity. The alliance remains on high alert as several member states report airspace violations involving drones and even fighter jets.
Speculation Over Russia’s Involvement
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has said authorities are actively investigating who might be orchestrating these incursions. While she stopped short of naming Russia directly, Frederiksen did not rule out Moscow’s involvement.
Russia has firmly denied any link to the incidents, calling such claims “baseless” and part of what it views as an ongoing campaign of accusations by Western nations. Still, European leaders remain wary, given Russia’s history of conducting hybrid warfare tactics, which often blend cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and covert operations.
The timing of these drone flights has fueled suspicions, especially as tensions between Russia and NATO remain high. Last week, Estonia and Poland requested urgent consultations with NATO allies after around 20 Russian drones reportedly crossed into Polish territory, while Russian MiG-31 jets entered Estonian airspace in separate events.
Norway and Romania Also Report Drone Incidents
Denmark is not alone in dealing with the growing drone problem. Over the weekend, Norway and Romania also reported separate incidents.
In Norway, airport operator Avinor confirmed drone “activity” above Bronnoysund Airport on Sunday, triggering investigations. There were also reports of possible drone sightings near the country’s largest military base a day earlier.
Romania, too, faced a security scare when pilots of a Turkish Airlines flight spotted a drone in Bucharest airspace on Sunday. The sighting forced air traffic controllers to divert flights for safety reasons.
Romania recently passed new legislation empowering its air force pilots to intercept and, if necessary, shoot down unidentified aircraft or drones entering national airspace without authorization.
A Growing European Security Challenge
The wave of drone incidents has highlighted the vulnerabilities of European airspace at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions. Drones—whether used for surveillance, disruption, or attacks—pose a unique challenge to traditional air defense systems, particularly when they appear near civilian infrastructure like airports.
For Denmark, the ban on civilian drones may be temporary, but experts warn that such restrictions could become more frequent if Europe continues to face unexplained incursions. The “drone wall” initiative by EU defense ministers signals a broader strategy to coordinate defenses against what some describe as the next frontier in hybrid warfare.
Looking Ahead
As the EU summit convenes in Copenhagen under Denmark’s presidency, the focus will not only be on policy discussions but also on the security environment in which those talks take place. With NATO stepping up surveillance and EU nations considering collective counter-drone measures, Europe is preparing for what many see as a long-term battle against evolving aerial threats.
For now, Danish authorities say their priority is protecting citizens and international guests attending the summit. Whether the unidentified drones are the work of state actors like Russia or independent groups remains unclear. What is certain, however, is that Europe is entering a new era of security challenges—where the threat may not always come from missiles or fighter jets, but from small, elusive drones in the skies.