Unidentified drones flying over four Danish airports late Wednesday into Thursday have sparked a flurry of concern among officials, military leaders, and the public, as Denmark faces what its defense minister has called a “systematic” and “professional” hybrid attack targeting its critical infrastructure. The latest incidents, which occurred on the night of September 24 into the early hours of September 25, 2025, halted flights and raised new questions about the country’s preparedness in an era of escalating drone warfare and regional tensions.
The affected airports—Aalborg, Esbjerg, Sønderborg, and Skrydstrup—represent a mix of civilian and military facilities. Aalborg Airport, Denmark’s third-largest, serves both commercial and military aircraft and was closed for more than three hours after drone sightings began shortly before 10 p.m. and ended just before 1 a.m., according to The Associated Press. Skrydstrup air base, home to Denmark’s fleet of F-16 and F-35 fighter jets, was also among those impacted. Authorities decided against shooting down the drones, even as their lights flashed conspicuously around the airports.
At a press conference held on September 25, 2025, Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen did not mince words. “It looks systematic, and what I would define as a hybrid attack,” he said, emphasizing the professional and coordinated nature of the drone flights. Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard echoed these concerns, stating, “The goal with this kind of hybrid attack is to create fear and divisions, and make us scared.” Both ministers resisted connecting the incidents directly to Russia, noting that many questions remained unanswered—including who controlled the drones and their points of origin and destination.
The recent events follow closely on the heels of a similar incident at Copenhagen Airport earlier in the week, where two to three large drones closed airspace for four hours, grounding flights and rattling nerves. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described the Copenhagen flyover as “the most serious attack on Danish critical infrastructure to date.” In the aftermath, Frederiksen refused to rule out Russian involvement, especially given recent violations of airspace by Russian aircraft and drones in Poland, Romania, and Estonia.
Russia’s embassy in Denmark, however, categorically rejected any suggestion of involvement. In a statement, the embassy declared, “It is evident that the incidents involving reported disruptions at Danish airports are a staged provocation. Undoubtedly, they will be used as a pretext for further escalating tension in the interests of forces seeking by all means to prolong the Ukrainian conflict and extend it to other countries. The Russian side firmly rejects the absurd speculations of involvement in the incidents.”
As the investigation unfolded, Danish police reported receiving scores of drone sightings from the public on September 25, including one near Danish oilfields and unverified reports at Billund Airport and the strategic Baltic Sea island of Bornholm. The Danish Armed Forces confirmed a drone sighting over the Jutland Dragoon Regiment base in Holstebro, further stoking fears about the vulnerability of military installations. Despite these incursions, authorities maintained a cautious approach, opting not to shoot down the drones. The Danish Armed Forces explained that they may take down drones over military sites, but only after assessing the specific threat and risk—a decision that, in this case, led to inaction.
The response to the incidents has not been limited to Denmark alone. Prime Minister Frederiksen reached out to NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, stating on X (formerly Twitter), “We agreed that NATO would work with Denmark on what we can do together to ensure safety and security.” Defense ministers from eastern frontline states are scheduled to meet on September 26, 2025, to discuss constructing a “drone wall”—a coordinated defense initiative aimed at countering the growing threat of unauthorized drone activity. Meanwhile, EU leaders plan to hold an informal summit in Copenhagen next week to discuss broader defense issues and support for Ukraine.
Security concerns in northern Europe have been mounting in the wake of increased Russian aggression and a string of airspace violations. Earlier this month, Russian drones were downed over Poland, and Estonia reported an intrusion by Russian fighter jets. French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking before the latest Danish drone sightings, warned that NATO nations would need to react “more strongly” to Russian incursions, cautioning, “We cannot allow the idea to take root that Poland, Estonia, Romania are in a weak situation because the next step would be Germany and then us.” NATO has responded by launching Operation Eastern Sentry to bolster air defense in frontline states, but experts caution that most European countries lack reliable, cost-effective strategies to neutralize cheap drones, often relying instead on expensive fighter jets or missile systems.
The Danish government, for its part, has moved aggressively in recent years to bolster its military. Denmark has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine, increasing military spending and approving the fast-track construction of a Ukrainian defense factory near the Skrydstrup air base, which will produce missile fuel. Yet, these latest drone incidents have exposed significant gaps in Denmark’s defense capabilities—gaps that opposition parties have been quick to highlight. Pelle Dragsted, an MP for the Red-Green Alliance, called the drone incursions “a gigantic failure” by a government that had invested heavily in the military but still lacked “control over the most basic thing: the defense of our own vulnerable infrastructure.” Conservative MP Mette Abildgaard was even more blunt, telling broadcaster DR, “If I’m being completely honest, it is in many ways a humiliation for Denmark.”
Defense Minister Poulsen conceded the limitations, admitting that Denmark did not have the technology to take down certain types of drones. Justice Minister Hummelgaard announced plans to propose new legislation that would grant owners of critical infrastructure the authority to shoot down drones—a move aimed at closing the legal and technological gaps exposed by the recent incidents.
One possible scenario under investigation is that the drones spotted over Copenhagen Airport may have been launched from a nearby ship, a tactic also being investigated in Germany following similar sightings near military bases and critical infrastructure. As the investigation continues, Danish armed forces and intelligence services are working to trace the origin and intent of the drone operators.
While the full story behind the recent drone incursions remains murky, one thing is clear: Denmark and its neighbors are now grappling with a new era of security threats—where cheap, readily available drones can disrupt daily life, sow fear, and test the resilience of even the most advanced military alliances.
