The incidents coincide with broader regional concerns. Earlier this week, drones were spotted over Copenhagen Airport.
Photo : iStock
Denmark’s defence ministry on Saturday confirmed that drones were observed at “several defence facilities” overnight from Friday into Saturday. The incidents mark the latest in a wave of unexplained drone activity across the Nordic nation, which earlier in the week led to the temporary shutdown of multiple airports.
Local outlets including DR reported that drones were seen near or above Karup Air Base, the country’s largest military installation. Central and West Jutland Police duty manager Simon Skelkjær told DR that drones were visible “inside and outside the fence” around 8 p.m. on Friday. Civilian airspace was briefly closed, though no passenger flights were affected at Karup.
Defence Ministry Silent on Locations
The defence ministry declined to confirm sightings at Karup or other specific locations, citing “operational security and the ongoing investigation.” Later clarifications suggested that reports of drones near Skrydstrup Air Base and the Jutland Dragoon Regiment referred to earlier incidents, not Friday night.
Officials have urged citizens to report any suspicious activity, though hundreds of tips so far remain unverified. Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard said this week that the goal of repeated incursions appeared to be “to sow fear and division.” He added that Denmark would propose legislation allowing critical infrastructure owners to neutralise drones directly.
Wider European Alarm
The incidents coincide with broader regional concerns. Earlier this week, drones were spotted over Copenhagen Airport, forcing temporary closures, while similar disruptions have been reported in neighbouring Germany’s Schleswig-Holstein state. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said Saturday his ministry was drafting new rules to intercept and, if necessary, shoot down drones.
At Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, one runway was shut for 45 minutes Saturday following a drone sighting, Dutch military police confirmed to AP. NATO’s top military officer, Adm. Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, warned that “Russian aircraft and drones… will now find the resolute response of Eastern Sentry activity,” a new NATO monitoring mission. Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs said Europe’s “immediate priority is air defence,” stressing that Russian provocations have violated the airspace of multiple allies.