STOCKHOLM: Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated on Monday (Sep 29) Russia was probably behind mysterious drone flights over a number of Scandinavian airports forward of an EU summit in Copenhagen.
Drone sightings throughout Norway and Denmark particularly since Sep 22 have prompted the closure of a number of airports.
Chatting with broadcaster TV4, Kristersson stated “the probability of this being about Russia eager to ship a message to international locations supporting Ukraine is kind of excessive” however confused that “no one actually, actually is aware of”.
He added that “we’ve affirmation” that drones that entered Polish airspace earlier in September have been Russian.
“Every little thing factors to (Russia), however then all international locations are cautious about singling out a rustic if they aren’t positive. In Poland, we all know that is what it was,” he stated.
Drones have been additionally noticed over Danish navy websites on Saturday evening for a second straight day.
Copenhagen is to host an EU summit on Wednesday and Thursday.
To make sure safety across the summit, Denmark on Sunday stated it was closing airspace to all civilian drone flights till Friday, in order that enemy drones wouldn’t be confused for authorized ones.
A violation can lead to a fantastic or imprisonment for as much as two years.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated this week that “there’s one most important nation that poses a menace to Europe’s safety, and it’s Russia”.
Moscow stated it “firmly rejects” any suggestion of involvement.
The string of drone sightings comes on the heels of drone incursions in Polish and Romanian territory and the violation of Estonian airspace by Russian fighter jets, which raised tensions in mild of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
NATO has stated it has “enhanced vigilance” within the Baltic following the intrusions.
