Drone incursions forced the temporary closure of Aalborg Airport overnight, marking the second such disruption at a Danish airport this week. Authorities described the incident as a “hybrid attack” carried out by a professional actor, though no evidence has been presented linking the activity to Russia or any other state.
Between 22:00 and 02:00 local time, drones were spotted in the airspace above Aalborg, a key hub for both commercial and military flights in northern Denmark. While smaller airports in the south also reported drone activity, they remained operational.
Government Response and Rising Security Alert
The Danish National Police elevated the country’s crisis level following the incidents. Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said the sophistication of the operation suggested professionalism. However, he stressed that no direct attribution had been made.
The minister added that Copenhagen is considering invoking Article 4 of the NATO treaty, which allows member states to call consultations when their security is threatened. Estonia and Poland have already raised Article 4 discussions in response to similar drone incursions earlier this month.
The disruptions in Denmark fit into what security analysts describe as an “escalating and worrying” pattern of hybrid threats across Europe. Drone sightings have increasingly targeted airports, energy facilities, and military installations, raising alarms about potential attempts to destabilize critical infrastructure.
While suspicions often fall on Russia amid heightened regional tensions, Danish officials remain cautious about assigning blame without evidence.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the origins of the drones and have not disclosed technical details about the devices. For now, Denmark is tightening surveillance around key infrastructure and bolstering its defensive posture in coordination with NATO allies.
The government has pledged to keep the public informed as investigations continue into what it calls an unprecedented threat to Danish security.
