In northern Germany’s Schleswig-Holstein, several key infrastructure facilities have recently experienced suspicious drone activities, raising security concerns that have prompted local prosecutors to launch a formal investigation.
According to Der Spiegel, on the evening of September 25 (last Thursday), multiple drones were observed flying over various sites in the state capital of Kiel, including power plants, the local university hospital, shipyards, as well as overhead the state parliament building and the Heide refinery.
It was reported that two small drones appeared over the naval defense technology company ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems in Kiel, followed by a formation of drones flying over the hospital and power plants.
In addition to the Kiel area, similar suspicious aircraft traces have been reported at the Sanitz military base in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, as well as the naval headquarters in Rostock.
Schleswig-Holstein Interior Minister Sabine Sütterlin-Waack stated at the state parliament on October 1 that the drones seen varied in type and size, resembling recent drone intrusions in neighboring countries like Denmark, Poland, Romania, and Norway. These incidents are considered typical tactics of “hybrid warfare,” aiming to instill fear and destabilize the situation in Europe.
State police have collected on-site evidence and handed it over to the state criminal police for investigation. While some flights were not deemed illegal, there are still significant doubts regarding cases involving critical infrastructure facilities.
State Chief Prosecutor Stephanie Gropp confirmed that the investigation into the relevant cases is ongoing.
German Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt announced on September 27 that the government is prepared to amend air safety regulations to authorize the armed forces to “shoot down drones.”
Dobrindt stated on September 29 that not all drones controlled by foreign operators necessarily pose a threat, and some instances should be viewed as provocations. He stressed the importance of authorities responding appropriately based on the level of threat.
As a member of NATO, Germany is on high alert amidst these events. Recently, Poland shot down multiple Russian drones violating its airspace, while unidentified foreign flying objects were detected over Romania, and Russian military aircraft breached Estonian airspace. Denmark reported consecutive sightings of unknown drones over military facilities and airports. In Norway, at least two drones were observed flying for about an hour near the sensitive area of its largest military base in Orland before disappearing.
Given the repeated airspace violations in Eastern and Northern Europe, some EU officials are calling for the establishment of a “drone wall” to defend against Russian infiltration and provocations.
On October 1, European Union leaders and government ministers from 27 member states gathered for an informal summit in Copenhagen, Denmark, to discuss strengthening defense measures, with countering drone disruptions being among the top priority issues.
【This article references reports from the Associated Press】