Unidentified drones have been spotted hovering over Danish military sites for two consecutive nights, intensifying security concerns just as Copenhagen prepares to host a high-profile European Union summit. The Danish defense ministry confirmed on Sunday, September 28, 2025, that drones were observed at several armed forces’ locations overnight, prompting the deployment of multiple military capacities in response. Details about the exact number of drones, their types, or the specific sites involved remain closely guarded, but the incidents have rattled authorities and the public alike.
According to statements from the Danish military, “the Armed Forces can confirm that drones have been observed at several of the Armed Forces’ locations during the night. Several capacities were deployed.” This marks the latest in a string of mysterious drone sightings across Denmark and neighboring Norway since September 22, 2025, which have already led to the temporary closure of several Danish airports—including a nearly four-hour disruption at Copenhagen Airport earlier in the week, as reported by Reuters.
The timing could hardly be more sensitive. Copenhagen is set to welcome EU leaders for a summit on September 30 and October 1, followed by a gathering of the wider, 47-member European Political Community. Security is a top priority, and the recent surge in drone activity has authorities on high alert. The Danish transportation ministry announced a sweeping ban on civilian drone flights in Danish airspace from Monday, September 29, through Friday, October 3, aiming to “remove the risk that enemy drones can be confused with legal drones and vice versa.” The prohibition, which does not apply to military, police, or emergency drone operations, carries stiff penalties: violators could face fines or imprisonment for up to two years.
“We cannot accept that foreign drones create uncertainty and disturbances in society, as we have experienced recently. At the same time, Denmark will host EU leaders in the coming week, where we will have extra focus on security,” Danish transportation minister Thomas Danielsen stated. The move is intended to eliminate confusion between friendly and potentially hostile drones during the high-stakes summit, a sentiment echoed by other Danish officials.
The ban on civilian drones follows a tense week of unexplained aerial activity. Just last week, drones were reported over five Danish airports, and on September 26 to 27, unidentified drones were observed over several military sites, including near the Karup military base—the country’s largest, housing all armed forces’ helicopters, airspace surveillance, and support functions. While no airports were closed on the night of September 27 to 28, the string of incidents has raised the specter of a coordinated campaign to disrupt or intimidate.
Denmark’s defense ministry has described the drone activity as part of a “hybrid attack.” Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has suggested that Moscow might be responsible, calling Russia the primary “country that poses a threat to European security.” While Danish authorities have stopped short of assigning definitive blame, both the prime minister and NATO Secretary-General have said that Russian involvement “cannot be ruled out.” The Russian embassy in Denmark, for its part, has firmly rejected any claims of Moscow’s involvement.
In a bid to bolster security, Denmark has called in reinforcements from its NATO allies. Following a NATO meeting in Riga, Latvia, on September 27, Colonel Martin O’Donnell, spokesperson for Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, announced, “We will conduct even more enhanced vigilance with new multi-domain assets in the Baltic Sea region, which includes Denmark, under Baltic Sentry.” O’Donnell noted that the enhanced measures “include multiple intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms and at least one air-defense frigate” in the region west of Russia. NATO leaders remain in constant contact with Danish officials as the situation develops.
On Sunday afternoon, the German air defense frigate FSG Hamburg arrived in Copenhagen to assist with airspace surveillance during the EU summit. “Here, the ship will contribute to strengthening Denmark’s surveillance of the airspace in connection with the upcoming EU summit in Copenhagen,” the Danish defense ministry said. The German frigate is part of NATO’s Baltic Sentry activity, which aims to reinforce the alliance’s eastern flank. In addition, Germany will provide “Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft Systems capabilities”—detection systems utilizing radar, optical, and acoustic technologies—at Denmark’s request, according to statements from both governments.
Sweden has also stepped in, announcing it will lend Denmark a military anti-drone capability, though details remain sparse. The heightened state of alert reflects not only the immediate threat posed by rogue drones but also broader concerns about the security environment in Northern Europe. Since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the region has been on edge, wary of both conventional and unconventional threats.
The Danish public has played an active role in the unfolding situation. Hundreds of possible drone sightings have been reported by concerned citizens in recent days, though many could not be officially confirmed. Authorities have encouraged the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious aerial activity to the police. The sense of unease is palpable, especially as Denmark prepares to take center stage in European politics this week.
Danish Minister of Justice Peter Hummelgaard addressed the nation’s anxieties directly, stating on September 25 that the drone flyovers are “aimed at sowing fear and division.” He added that Denmark is exploring additional ways to neutralize unauthorized drones, including proposing legislation to allow infrastructure owners to shoot them down. “We are currently in a difficult security situation, and we must ensure the best possible working conditions for the armed forces and the police when they are responsible for security during the EU summit,” echoed Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen.
The prohibition on civilian drones is not without precedent, but its breadth and the context of its implementation make it notable. The ban is designed to ensure that security forces can distinguish between friendly and hostile aircraft at a time when the stakes are unusually high. The hope is that these measures will prevent confusion and allow authorities to respond swiftly and decisively to any genuine threats.
As the EU summit approaches, Denmark finds itself at the intersection of local vigilance and global geopolitics. The country’s rapid response—ranging from legal restrictions to international military cooperation—underscores the seriousness with which it views the current threat environment. Whether the true culprits behind the drone incursions will be identified remains to be seen, but for now, Denmark is determined to keep its skies, and its leaders, safe.
