A Russian drone was intercepted near a French nuclear-powered aircraft carrier participating in NATO exercises. The Swedish military reported that the unauthorized drone was spotted off the coast of southern Sweden while the French carrier was stationed in Malmo as part of a NATO operation.
According to Swedish officials, the drone took off from a Russian signals intelligence ship in the Oresund strait, prompting Swedish forces to deploy countermeasures to disrupt its activities. The French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is currently in Malmo for routine NATO exercises.
French military spokesperson Guillaume Vernet confirmed that the drone incident occurred on Wednesday and was managed by Swedish security forces overseeing the carrier’s protection. The drone was more than six miles away from the Charles de Gaulle, and the security system proved effective in safeguarding the carrier group’s operations.
Despite suspicions that the drone may have Russian origins, French Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson remarked on the seriousness of the situation, noting Russia’s disapproval of NATO exercises. However, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot reassured that the carrier’s security was not compromised, denouncing any potential provocation from a Russian-linked incident.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov denied knowledge of the incident and dismissed claims associating the drone with the nearby Russian ship as unfounded. Western authorities have highlighted Russia’s alleged campaign of sabotage in Europe, with numerous incidents attributed to Moscow’s disruptive activities.
Officials believe that Russia’s actions, initiated during the conflict with Ukraine in 2022, aim to weaken European solidarity and divert law enforcement resources. The intricate nature of these incidents often delays the attribution of responsibility to Moscow, posing challenges for European security efforts.
