Updated December 19 — “‘Mystery Drones” Over Europe

We are living through one of the most perilous escalations between nuclear powers in decades. The true weapon may not be the drones themselves, but the uncertainty they sow—forcing adversaries to make decisions in the dark.

Updated December 19

By James and Michael Hall—authors of the popular Kindle & Audible book, The Sword of Damocles, Our Nuclear Age.

jameshall042999@gmail.com

In the past months, Europe has faced a surge of coordinated drone incursions over airports, military sites, and critical infrastructure—including 3–5 drones over the Doel nuclear power plant near Antwerp on November 9. On November 12–13, Belgian forces at Kleine‑Brogel Air Base, which is believed to host US B‑61 tactical nuclear weapons, attempted to disable one of the unidentified drones during multiple incursions.

Since September 22, these mystery drones have disrupted more than twenty airports across over ten European countries, forcing flight suspensions and diversions that stranded tens of thousands of passengers. The incursions follow a recurring pattern: small drones first probe communications and radar, followed by larger, longer‑endurance craft that linger near aircraft, munitions depots, and runways. Many reports describe the drones flying precise grid‑like or “lawn‑mower” patterns over critical sites rather than moving randomly—a behavior also seen in the New Jersey incidents last year. The situation has raised significant concern within NATO. Belgium’s defense minister has warned that the country is in an “interim phase between peace and war,” as NATO accelerates surveillance efforts and deploys additional counter‑drone systems.

Adding to the alarm, a leaked German security report released in mid‑December revealed that Germany alone has recorded nearly 2,000 unidentified drone flights this year—1,955 in total. Many of them were reported over or near Bundeswehr installations, NATO training grounds, and critical infrastructure. Munich Airport was forced to shut down twice in 24 hours due to drone activity, and several of the unidentified craft were described as “military‑used.” The scale of the incursions has pushed Germany to accelerate procurement of new counter‑drone radars and jamming systems, underscoring that the phenomenon is not confined to Belgium or the Low Countries but is now a continent‑wide security challenge.

The wave has also extended to sensitive NATO installations, including numerous sites believed to house US B‑61 tactical nuclear weapons, and to critical infrastructure such as the Île Longue naval base—home to France’s ballistic‑missile submarine fleet. Reports now number in the hundreds. Many observers interpret the pattern as possible Russian hybrid‑warfare activity; others see parallels with the anomalous drone sightings reported across the United States over recent years. One hopes the former interpretation is wrong, as the situation is contributing to an increasingly tense atmosphere between Russia and the West.

Whether these flights are Russian probes, covert NATO exercises, or unexplained aerial phenomena, ambiguity is the weapon—eroding public confidence, magnifying risk, and leaving Europe’s skies contested.

For our part, we’ve spent countless hours trying to document all of this—we only wish someone had done the same during the New Jersey flap last year. My dad handles the technical side of our work; he spent many years as the director of the Smithsonian’s National Atomic Testing Museum. I focus on the writing, and together we make a strong team. This blog is our attempt to create the record we wish had existed before: a clear, day‑by‑day chronicle of the unfolding mystery.

This is a huge story. By early November, incursions had struck airports in Copenhagen, Oslo, Munich, Amsterdam Schiphol, Bucharest, Bremen, Berlin Brandenburg, Brussels, Liège, and Gothenburg Landvetter. The frequency and sophistication have escalated: grid‑pattern flights, electronic probing, and evasive maneuvers near bases such as Kleine‑Brogel in Belgium. Civilian disruptions have intensified—Munich shut down twice in 24 hours, Bremen halted operations on November 2, and Brussels and Liège closed overnight on November 4–5. New sightings on November 6–7 again disrupted Liège, prompting Belgium’s National Security Council to accelerate plans for a national airspace security center and urgent procurement of counter‑drone systems. Defense Minister Theo Francken has urged immediate €50 million investments and longer‑term funding exceeding €500 million. While attribution remains unconfirmed, European leaders widely suspect Russian involvement, noting similar incursions across Denmark, Norway, Poland, Romania, and Sweden.

These disruptions extend beyond civilian airspace. Drones have been spotted near NATO bases, nuclear storage sites, and critical infrastructure across the Baltic and northern tier. NATO has expanded Operation Eastern Sentry, deployed AWACS surveillance aircraft, and fast‑tracked development of a “drone wall”—an integrated network of radars, jammers, and interceptor teams. Both Poland and Denmark have invoked Article 4 consultations, underscoring the seriousness of the threat.

Witnesses at times describe large, fixed‑wing drones with red or green navigation lights, and in some cases, intense red glows reminiscent of the “Scandinavian Mystery Drones” of past decades. Some reports even describe self‑luminous airframes. Officials emphasize conventional platforms, yet the anomalous details persist. As many observers ask: if you’re spying, why light yourself up like a Christmas tree?

The Russian Orlan‑10 UAV, with its 16‑hour endurance and electronic‑warfare capabilities, could plausibly explain some of the recent incursions, and other platforms such as their Lancet loitering munition or the SuperCam reconnaissance drone also fit aspects of the sightings. Yet Russia’s drone ecosystem is far broader than its formal military catalog suggests. Recently leaked German documents highlighted by The Insider point to a long‑observed pattern in Russian statecraft. That is the use of nominally civilian agencies such as Rosatom, Roscosmos, and Rosgvardia as operational fronts for dual‑use technologies. The drones described in the leak, with ranges approaching 200 kilometers and equipped with video and thermal‑imaging systems, far exceed what is required for routine Arctic surveying or infrastructure monitoring. Their deployment patterns reportedly track with the movements of Russian naval vessels in the Baltic and North Seas, suggesting a coordinated reconnaissance architecture rather than benign environmental work. This aligns with Russia’s established practice of embedding intelligence‑adjacent capabilities inside civilian bureaucracies, allowing advanced platforms to operate under the cover of scientific, industrial, or environmental missions while contributing to broader situational awareness and hybrid‑warfare objectives.

Even so, none of these known Russian systems are reported to employ navigation lights or appear luminous under normal conditions. At high altitude, reflected sunlight might account for fleeting glows, but the consistency of reports raises deeper questions: are these military‑grade systems, or improvised civilian platforms repurposed for psychological effect? The anomalous red and green glows add another layer of uncertainty. If deliberate, they may mimic conventional aircraft lighting to confuse observers; if not, they may point to unconventional technologies. Which leads to the more provocative possibility: are all incursions attributable to human adversaries, or could some represent non‑human intelligence UAPs? Officials continue to stress conventional explanations, but ambiguity itself is a weapon—forcing governments to react without proof and magnifying the risk of miscalculation.

These events echo the New Jersey sightings from this time last year—diverse objects, erratic behavior, and conspicuous lack of attribution. If these are our decades‑long UAP visitors, they have chosen a volatile moment to reappear—one in which NATO‑Russian tensions are nearing a boiling point.

Importantly, this is not isolated. Mystery drones have been reported for years over US Air Force bases, RAF installations, and nuclear facilities. In December 2023, Langley AFB was swarmed for 17 consecutive nights. In 2024, RAF Lakenheath and Mildenhall faced coordinated incursions. And just days ago, Kleine‑Brogel Air Base in Belgium—believed to house US tactical nuclear weapons—was again overflown in two distinct waves

Meanwhile, the FBI has issued new guidance in the US, urging defense contractors and infrastructure operators to report all suspicious activity involving “unmanned systems”—a term now expanded to include UAVs, UAS, UUVs, RPVs, and UAPs. The Bureau’s goal is to standardize reporting, reduce stigma, and ensure that even seemingly mundane sightings are documented and taken seriously.

This blog will serve as a living record of the unfolding mystery. Below, you’ll find a day‑by‑day chronology of drone sightings across Europe—documented, verified, and updated in real time. Whether this is covert escalation, technological overmatch, or something stranger still, one thing is clear: the skies over Europe are no longer uncontested.

Indeed, the skies over Europe are no longer uncontested.

Sightings of these Scandinavian Mystery Drones began on the night of September 22 and have since spread throughout Europe, continuing unabated to date.

Sept 22 — Copenhagen and Oslo:
On the evening of September 22, multiple large, unidentified drones were reported over Copenhagen Airport (CPH), prompting Danish authorities to suspend all takeoffs and landings beginning at approximately 8:26 PM local time. At least 15 flights were diverted, and the airport remained closed for three to four hours while police conducted investigations. Operations resumed only after authorities confirmed the airspace had been cleared. That same night, Oslo Airport–Gardermoen (OSL) also temporarily halted operations following pilot and ground reports of drone activity. Norwegian authorities resumed service only after conducting a full assessment and clearing the airspace. (“Drone Sightings Disrupt Flights at Copenhagen, Oslo Airports,” Al Jazeera, September 22, 2025; “Drone Sightings Cause Flight Disruptions at Copenhagen and Oslo Airports,” AviationSource News, September 22, 2025, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/22/copenhagen-airport-shut-after-sighting-of-unidentified-drones.)

Sept 22 — England & Wales:
On the evening of September 22 in Aylesbury, England at 8:33 PM local time. Two witnesses observed a massive white orb at a 45° elevation, appearing as high as the stars. The object moved at extreme speed, changed direction instantly, and then slowly flashed before vanishing. It displayed an aura or haze and changed color. The encounter lasted about 2 minutes and was captured on video. Reported on Sept 24 at 3:06 AM Pacific Time. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=192708.) Then in Builth Wells, Wales at 9:35 PM local time, two witnesses (a parent and child) saw a huge black triangular craft, estimated at 50 times larger than a plane, moving smoothly from south to north at a 30° elevation. The craft carried lights and traveled at a speed similar to satellites, remaining visible for about 5 minutes before disappearing. Reported on Sept 22 at 2:15 PM Pacific Time. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=192668.)

“It was flying across the sky, no flashing lights, it moved at crazy speed and instantly changed direction then slowly flashed vanished.”

Sept 23 — England:
On the evening of September 22 in Aylesbury, England at 8:33 PM local time. Two witnesses observed a massive white orb at a 45° elevation, appearing as high as the stars. The object moved at extreme speed, changed direction instantly, and then slowly flashed before vanishing. It displayed an aura or haze and changed color. The encounter lasted about 2 minutes and was captured on video. Reported on Sept 24 at 3:06 AM Pacific Time. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=192708.) Then in Builth Wells, Wales at 9:35 PM local time, two witnesses (a parent and child) saw a huge black triangular craft, estimated at 50 times larger than a plane, moving smoothly from south to north at a 30° elevation. The craft carried lights and traveled at a speed similar to satellites, remaining visible for about 5 minutes before disappearing. Reported on Sept 22 at 2:15 PM Pacific Time. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=192668.)

Sept 23 — England:
On September 23, at 2:17 PM local time in Radcliffe on Trent, England, a single witness at a bus stop observed a large golden dome‑shaped object with a flat underside and rounded top. At a 45° elevation, about 2 km away, it moved slower and lower than commercial aircraft. A smaller spherical object appeared to trail behind the main craft before disappearing. The sighting lasted about 7 minutes, during which the witness filmed part of the encounter. Clear skies with scattered clouds provided good visibility. The witness, an amateur astronomer, discounted conventional explanations such as planes, balloons, or drones, noting the object’s unusual appearance and behavior. The event was reported on September 29 at 11:56 PM Pacific Time, with parachute activity suggested as a probable explanation. Reported on Sept 22 at 2:15 PM Pacific Time. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=192887.)

Sept 23–25 — Northern Denmark (Aalborg cluster):
Between the night of September 23–24—and in some accounts extending into September 24–25—multiple large fixed‑wing drones entered controlled northern Danish airspace, prompting the temporary closure of Aalborg Airport (AAL) for approximately three hours. Scheduled flights were diverted or disrupted as police and military radar units attempted to intercept or track the aircraft. Simultaneous sightings were reported at Esbjerg, Sønderborg, Skrydstrup Air Base, and the Holstebro military field. Observers noted consistent size, endurance, and flight patterns across the affected sites. Danish officials characterized the incidents as a coordinated “hybrid” campaign rather than isolated hobbyist activity, and the government reportedly considered consultations under NATO Article 4. On the night of September 23, at 10:00 PM local time in Šilalė, Tauragė County, Lithuania observers saw a numeral-eight-shaped object with lights on it and an aura or haze surrounding its silhouette as it changed colors. It was said to rotate horizontally, while shining with various lights and moving “strangely quickly.” (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=192809.)

Sept 25 — Northern Germany (Schleswig‑Holstein and Mecklenburg‑Western Pomerania):
On and around September 25, German media and authorities reported a series of mysterious drone sightings across northern Germany, particularly in Schleswig‑Holstein and Mecklenburg‑Western Pomerania. The incursions targeted industrial and critical‑infrastructure sites, consistent with the broader regional pattern of activity. According to Der Spiegel, two small drones were first observed over the Thyssenkrupp factory site shortly after 9:00 PM. That was followed by a “swarm of drones with a mother drone” over the university hospital. Around 10:00 PM, a similar formation appeared above the coastal power plant and the Kiel Canal. A large stationary drone and several smaller flying objects were later seen over the Kiel Fjord. The Landeshaus Kiel—the seat of the state parliament—was also reportedly overflown, and the Heide refinery, which supplies kerosene to Hamburg Airport, was allegedly surveilled by the drone swarm. An internal police note cited by Der Spiegel described the drones flying in parallel orbital paths, suggesting a deliberate attempt to measure ground structures with precision. A large portion of the Kiel Canal was reportedly flown over from east to west. Additional sightings were reported over the Bundeswehr base in Sanitz, Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern. Here is a more complete summary from that “Der Spiegel” article on the 25th:

“Shortly after 9 PM [on the 25th,] two small drones initially flew over the Thyssenkrupp factory site. Shortly after, a ‘swarm of drones with a mother drone’ was sighted over the university hospital. Around 10 PM, a similar formation appeared over the coastal power plant and the Kiel Canal. A large stationary drone and several small flying objects were subsequently observed over the Kiel Fjord. The Landeshaus Kiel, the seat of the state parliament, was also flown over, according to security force sources. Furthermore, the Heide refinery, the company that supplies Hamburg Airport with kerosene, was also apparently spied on by the drone swarm. An internal note states that the state police noticed, observing the drones, that they flew along parallel orbital paths, with the apparent objective of precisely measuring structures on the ground. According to the newspaper, a large part of the Kiel Canal was flown over from east to west.”

(Der Spiegel. “Mystery Drone Sightings Reported over Critical Infrastructure in Northern Germany.” End Time Headlines, October 1, 2025. https://endtimeheadlines.org/2025/10/mystery-drone-sightings-reported-over-critical-infrastructure-in-northern-germany/.) 

Sept 26 — Pakistan:
On September 26, at 7:34 PM local time in Lahore, Pakistan, a single witness observed a large dark triangular/V‑shaped craft flying silently across the sky during a citywide power outage. Estimated at 10 ft wide and 15 ft long, the object moved east‑south at a 40° elevation, about 2000 ft away, at speeds of 200–300 km/h. Its underside displayed five steady, non‑flickering lights—one at the tip and two along each side—clearly outlining the V shape. The craft’s motion was smooth and precise, gliding effortlessly without sound. The witness attempted to follow on foot but the object quickly vanished. The event lasted about 30 seconds and was reported on September 27 at 1:19 AM Pacific Time. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=192812.)

Sept 26 — Romania:
On September 26, around 9:42 PM local time in Ariceștii Rahtivani, Prahova, Romania, a single witness observed a blue oval‑shaped object about 10 meters in size moving westward at an estimated 50 km/h. The craft appeared at a 45° elevation, approximately 100 yards away, and emitted lights. The event lasted only 5–10 seconds, but the witness reported an unusual sense of missing time associated with the sighting. The incident was reported on October 9 at 10:20 AM Pacific Time. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=193105.)

Sept 25–28 — Regional surge across the Baltic and Nordic region:
Between the nights of 25 and 28 September a renewed wave of large, fixed‑wing drone sightings swept the Baltic and Nordic region. Danish authorities reported additional incursions that disrupted or temporarily closed civilian and military airfields including Aalborg, Skrydstrup, Esbjerg, Sønderborg and Karup and prompted a temporary nationwide restriction on civilian drone flights beginning 28 September. Swedish officials logged larger drones with red and green navigation lights over the Karlskrona archipelago and near the Möcklösund bridge while German authorities reported suspicious activity near naval and critical‑infrastructure sites in Rostock and Schleswig‑Holstein and conducted anti‑drone drills in Hamburg. Estonian authorities recovered a fragment consistent with a larger drone in the Luitemaa nature reserve near Pärnu. NATO and EU partners publicly warned about the pattern as allied states moved to offer or deploy anti‑drone capabilities to Denmark. High‑level discussions in Copenhagen addressed coordinated continental responses often described as a proposed “drone wall” while public attribution remained unproven and some isolated reports were not uniformly confirmed by authorities.

According to a statement from the South Jutland Police, issued on September 25, 2025, the first reports of drone sightings came in just before 22:00 local time on September 24, 2025, with several drones displaying lights seen at all three airports. 

Aalborg Airport was the only one shut down due to drone sightings on the night of September 24, 2025, according to data from Flightradar24. The last arrival at Aalborg Airport was recorded at 21:17 local time, followed by a final departure at 21:19. 

After that, three incoming flights were redirected, and three flights were cancelled. Eurocontrol, an international organization managing air traffic across Europe, has now imposed a restriction on arrivals and departures at Aalborg Airport, maintaining a zero rate until 04:00 local time on September 25, 2025.
The latest breach follows two similar drone incidents in the Nordic region on September 22, 2025. 

Copenhagen Airport (CPH) announced that all flights were suspended for four hours due to reports of “three or four large drones” flying near the airport. Police also confirmed a drone was spotted near Oslo Airport (OSL) in Norway on the same day. 

Although authorities have not named any suspects in the airspace breach, Danish media suggests that the drones responsible for the disruptions at Copenhagen Airport may have been transported to Denmark by ships, possibly using them as platforms for launching or landing.  

(https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/denmark-drone-activity-hybrid-attack-airspace.)

Sept 28 — French naval boarding:
French naval forces boarded the Russian oil tanker Boracay (also known as Pushpa) on 28 September off Ouessant in western France. The boarding and the later arrest of the ship’s captain and first officer occurred in the same period as the drone incidents but there is no established evidence linking that vessel to the drone incursions. Any suggestion of a Russian role remains unproven and should be presented as speculative. Ross Coulthart kindly commented to us authors that “there’s absolutely no evidence found on board apparently to support the claim that it was the Russians who were sending these drones, but I guess we need to keep an open mind to that possibility.” (“Macron Says Oil Tanker off France Is Linked to Russia’s Shadow Fleet,” CBS News, October 1, 2025, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/macron-russia-shadow-fleet-oil-tanker-off-france/; and Nerijus Adomaitis, “Detained Oil Tanker Linked to Russia’s ‘Shadow Fleet’ Makes Shock Move,” The Independent, October 3, 2025, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/france-russia-boracay-oil-tanker-b2838713.html; and “Russia‑Linked ‘Shadow Fleet’ Oil Tanker Stopped by France Resumes Voyage,” France24, October 3, 2025,https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/france-russia-boracay-oil-tanker-b2838713.html.)

Sept 28 — Canary Islands:
On September 28, around 9:00 PM local time in Corralejo, Canary Islands, Spain, two witnesses sitting on a balcony observed a massive dark cross‑shaped object moving silently overhead. Estimated at 100 m long, 80 m wide, and 10 m high, the craft had orb‑like structures at each of its four points, though they were not illuminated. At an altitude near 30,000 feet, it traveled smoothly east to west across the sky, passing directly overhead at a 90° elevation before disappearing beyond the roofline. The sighting lasted about 20 seconds. Witnesses noted nearby aircraft with visible flashing lights, underscoring that this object was distinctly different—silent, unlit, and unusually large. The event was reported on October 14 at 7:24 PM Pacific Time. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=193250.)

Sept 28 — England:
On September 28, at 4:53 PM local time in Hemel Hempstead, England, a single witness observed a shiny silver disc‑shaped object in the northwestern sky at a 55° elevation, estimated to be 1–5 miles away and possibly the size of a large aircraft. The craft appeared to hover or move very slowly for several seconds before vanishing suddenly within the blink of an eye. The sky was clear, with no clouds or reflections to account for the sighting. The event lasted about 5 seconds and was reported on September 29 at 4:36 AM Pacific Time, with a balloon noted as a possible explanation. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=192870.)

Sept 28–29 — Northern and Western Europe:
Between the night of 28 September and the morning of 29 September a fresh wave of drone incidents affected NATO countries across northern and western Europe. Denmark reported repeated overflights of military sites and airports, maintained its temporary nationwide restriction on civilian drone flights and scrambled fighters over the Baltic with activity near Bornholm. Spain’s Fuerteventura Airport suspended operations after a drone sighting that caused diversions and delays. Norwegian authorities recorded drone activity near civilian airports and military bases. Romanian air traffic control diverted at least one passenger flight over Bucharest after a suspected sighting. German authorities continued to log suspicious drone flights in Schleswig‑Holstein and conducted anti‑drone drills in Hamburg. Allied officials and media characterized the pattern as a coordinated “probing” of NATO airspace, prompting calls for stronger counter‑drone authorities and contingency measures while governments stressed that the incidents represented a serious hybrid‑security challenge rather than isolated hobbyist disruptions. (Spain: (Fuerteventura) The Independent notes that drone incursions have affected airports across Europe, including Spain, and that the wave extended into late September. Norway: The Wikipedia entry confirms drone activity at Norwegian airports during the same period, including Oslo Gardermoen and other sites. Romania: The Independent and Economic Times both confirm drone‑related airspace disruptions across Eastern Europe, including Romania, during the late‑September wave. Germany: The Independent confirms drone disruptions at German airports, including Munich, and broader German counter‑drone activity during this period; and The Economic Times confirms continued suspicious drone flights in Germany and NATO’s concern about coordinated probing. Coordinated “probing” of NATO airspace Both The Independent and Economic Times explicitly describe the pattern as probing, testing NATO responses, and part of a hybrid‑security challenge.)

Sept 29 — England:
On September 29, 2025, at 6:15 AM local time in Plaxtol, England, a single witness observed an unusual aerial display lasting about 30 minutes. Looking eastward at a 65° elevation, they saw 12 white streaks moving in different directions across the sky, accompanied by three bright orbs—two together and one separate. The objects appeared higher than normal aircraft, emitted light, left trails, and produced no sound. Flight radar checks confirmed no corresponding aircraft in the area. The witness ruled out planes and described the event as overwhelming. The sighting was reported on October 8 at 10:24 AM Pacific Time, with contrails noted as a possible explanation. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=193088.)

Sept 29–30 — Continued activity and qualifications:
Between the night of 29 September and the morning of 30 September reports of drone activity continued across northern and western Europe. Denmark maintained its temporary nationwide restriction on civilian drone flights after repeated sightings near military sites and airports and allied states deployed or offered anti‑drone assets to assist ahead of EU summit meetings. Spain’s Fuerteventura Airport had earlier suspended operations after a drone sighting that caused diversions and delays. German authorities continued to report suspicious drone flights in Schleswig‑Holstein and increased counter‑drone preparedness including drills in port cities. Some media reports of activity near energy and regional airfields (including claims about a tracked drone over Equinor’s Sleipner field and a Brønnøysund Airport shutdown) were not uniformly confirmed by national authorities and should be treated as provisional. Overall, governments, NATO and EU partners described the pattern as a sustained hybrid‑threat challenge, prompting heightened air policing and information‑sharing among allies. (“New NATO Statement on Drones in Denmark and Russia’s Violations,” Liga News, accessed December 2025; and “UK Deploys Counter‑Drone Systems to Denmark Amid Surge in Unidentified Drone Incidents,” United24 Media, accessed December 2025, https://united24media.com/latest-news/uk-deploys-counter-drone-systems-to-denmark-amid-surge-in-unidentified-drone-incidents-12073; and “Europe Under Drone Siege: Counter‑UAS Lessons for Airports,” SentryCS, accessed December 2025, https://sentrycs.com/the-counter-drone-blog/europe-airport-drone-disruptions-airspace-vulnerabilities/.)

Sept 30–Oct 1 — Denmark summit and heightened security:
Between the night of 30 September and 1 October repeated drone sightings around Danish airports and military sites prompted heightened security ahead of two EU meetings in Copenhagen, with Sweden and Germany dispatching extra anti‑drone protection and allied states increasing protective deployments. Denmark restricted civilian drone flights and raised alert levels while EU leaders met to discuss continental defense measures including proposals by then commonly described as a “drone wall.” (Nette Nöstlinger and Giorgio Leali, “5 Things We Learned from the EU’s Summit in Copenhagen,” Politico, October 2, 2025, https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-summit-copenhagen-denmark-drone-wall-russian-assets/; and Arianna Russo Cardona, “Copenhagen Summit: The European ‘Drone Wall’ Project,” The Organization for World Peace, October 14, 2025, https://theowp.org/copenhagen-summit-the-european-drone-wall-project/; and Rikard Jozwiak, “After Drone Sightings, Copenhagen To Host EU Leaders for ‘Acute’ Security and Defense Summits,” Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, September 30, 2025, https://www.rferl.org/a/denmark-drones-europe-defense-security-ukraine/33545257.html.)

On October 1 French President Emmanuel Macron stated that Europe is already “in a time of confrontation” with Russia and warned of ongoing hybrid threats including drones, cyberattacks, and disinformation. (“Macron, Meloni argue for caution in responding to Russian ‘provocations’,” Aljazeera, October 1, 2025, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10/1/danish-pm-warns-that-russia-is-waging-hybrid-war-on-europe.)

Oct 1–2 — Renewed multi‑country incidents:
Multiple countries reported drone sightings overnight on October 1–2. In Denmark, renewed incursions were observed near Copenhagen and Aalborg, with a fighter scramble triggered near Bornholm. A drone near Fuerteventura disrupted air traffic, causing flight diversions. In Norway, suspicious activity was reported near both civilian airports and military airfields. A passenger flight over Bucharest was diverted following a suspected drone sighting. Continued drone activity in parts of Germany prompted increased air policing and renewed calls for stronger counter‑drone measures. In Czechia, sightings of unidentified drones near strategic and military infrastructure were confirmed in early October. Czech Armed Forces spokesperson Zdeňka Sobarňa Košvancová stated that while specific sites and dates remain classified, multiple overflights have been recorded. Army spokeswoman Magdalena Dvořáková added that the military is actively monitoring these incursions and is prepared to deploy radio-frequency jamming or kinetic countermeasures as needed. (Tay Belgeri, “Drone Sightings Shut Down Munich Airport Mirroring Norway & Denmark Incidents,” TravelAwaits, October 3, 2025, https://www.travelawaits.com/3016365/drone-sighting-causes-munich-airport-to-shut-down/; and “Mystery Drones Are Causing Havoc Across Europe. Here’s What We Know,” The Independent, October 2025, https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/drone-munich-airport-nato-russia-b2839435.html; and “Europe Under Drone Siege: Counter‑UAS Lessons for Airports,” SentryCS, accessed December 2025, https://sentrycs.com/the-counter-drone-blog/europe-airport-drone-disruptions-airspace-vulnerabilities/.)

Oct 1 — Greece, Crete:
Chania, Greece on the northwest coast of Crete at 10:30 PM local time witnesses looking out over the ocean: “observed about five lights moving in straight lines in different directions in the sky. They went from very bright to dim, sometimes disappearing completely and then reappearing. At times only one was visible, and at other times two, three, four, or all five appeared together. They stayed in the same area of the sky, and we watched them for about 15–20 minutes.” At the same time near Balos Beach, Greece, other witnesses observed: “Multiple spherical white lights what looked like stars, coming and going. Sometimes 2, or 3 or even 5 or 6 all going in different directions, up, down, left & right, but all moving somewhat slow and fading eventually. Some very bright and some not. It seemed like they were interacting with each other. Sometimes it stopped and then it would appear again. First we thought it were satellites which we see almost constantly here, but this felt very uncontrolled. This was going on for at least 20 min, because that’s the moment we were having a cigarette outside and we saw it both happening. We were seeing this while facing Balos, above the mountains, from the place Ravdoucha.” These two sightings may be related because Chania is the nearest major city to Balos Beach, about a 45 minute drive from Balos Beach on the northwest tip of Crete. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=192921.)

Oct 2–3 — Munich closure and provisional Belgian reports:
On the night of October 2–3, Munich Airport was temporarily shut down following multiple drone sightings. Operations were restricted shortly after 22:00 CET, with commercial traffic largely resuming the next morning between 05:00 and 05:25 CET. The disruption affected approximately 3,000 passengers, led to the cancellation of 17 departures, and forced the diversion of about 15 incoming flights to Stuttgart, Nuremberg, Vienna, and Frankfurt. Concurrently, reports emerged of roughly 15 drones over Belgium’s Elsenborn training area, along with speculation about a suspicious North Sea cargo vessel potentially serving as a launch or recovery platform. These accounts appeared in select media outlets but were not uniformly confirmed by national authorities and should be treated as provisional. In response, German officials launched investigations and reinforced counter‑drone measures, while regional partners evaluated whether these incidents were isolated or indicative of a broader coordinated campaign. (“Press: Drone Sightings at Munich Airport,” Munich Airport, October 3, 2025;and Goda Labanauskaite, “Munich Airport Reopens After Latest European Drone Breach,” AeroTime, October 3, 2025; and Laura Sharman, “Germany’s Munich the Latest European Airport to Close After Wave of Drone Sightings,” CNN via KRDO, October 2, 2025.)

Joint Press Release from the Federal Police, Munich Airport, and the Northern Upper Bavaria Police Headquarters

October 3, 2025 (Update)

On Thursday evening (October 2), several drones were sighted in the vicinity of and on the grounds of Munich Airport. The first reports were received at around 8:30 p.m. Initially, areas around the airport, including Freising and Erding, were affected.

The state police immediately launched extensive search operations with a large number of officers in the vicinity of the airport. At the same time, the federal police immediately carried out surveillance and search operations on the airport grounds. However, it has not yet been possible to identify the perpetrator.

At around 9:05 p.m., drones were reported near the airport fence. At around 10:10 p.m., the first sighting was made on the airport grounds. As a result, flight operations were gradually suspended at 10:18 p.m. for safety reasons. The preventive closure affected both runways from 10:35 p.m. onwards. The sightings ended around midnight. According to the airport operator, there were 17 flight cancellations and 15 diversions by that time. Helicopters from the federal police and the Bavarian state police were also deployed to monitor the airspace and conduct searches.

Munich Airport, in cooperation with the airlines, immediately took care of the passengers in the terminals. Camp beds were set up, and blankets, drinks, and snacks were provided. In addition, 15 arriving flights were diverted to Stuttgart, Nuremberg, Vienna, and Frankfurt. Flight operations resumed as normal today (Friday, October 3).

Responsibilities and cooperation

Within the scope of their respective tasks, the German Air Traffic Control (DFS), the state aviation security authorities, the state police forces, and the federal police are responsible for the detection and defense against drones at commercial airports.

The measures are carried out in close coordination between all parties involved and the airport operator on the basis of jointly developed emergency plans. The local state police force is responsible for preventive policing in the vicinity of the airport, while the federal police is responsible for policing on the airport grounds. Criminal prosecution is the responsibility of the state police.

Note: Please understand that for tactical reasons, the security authorities are unable to provide any further information on the systems and measures used. Further investigations will be conducted by the Bavarian police, as they have jurisdiction in this matter.

(https://www.munich-airport.com/press-drone-sighting-at-munich-airport-35709068.)

Oct 3–4 — Munich and regional reports:
On the night of October 3–4, unidentified drones once again disrupted operations at Munich Airport, prompting a temporary suspension of flights, multiple cancellations and diversions, and the resumption of commercial traffic the following morning. Belgian authorities reported additional drone sightings near the Elsenborn training area and the adjacent Düren region, while Prague’s Václav Havel Airport investigated an anonymous drone threat that remained unverified. Media coverage linked these incidents to earlier incursions across northern Germany near hospitals, power plants, and shipyards, suggesting a broader regional pattern. These developments prompted renewed calls for stronger counter‑drone authorities and coordinated NATO and EU responses. Bild cited a confidential German police report describing the Munich sightings as “the tip of the iceberg” and claiming the drones were “used militarily,” though the report did not specify their origin. On October 4, Bi ld newspaper cited a confidential German police report describing the Munich sightings as “the tip of the iceberg” and asserting that the drones were “used militarily,” though without clarifying their origin. (Richard Speed, “Munich Airport Closes Over Drone Sightings,” The Register, October 3, 2025, https://www.theregister.com/2025/10/03/munich_airport_drone/; and Emmet Lyons, “More Unidentified Drones in Europe Halt Flights at Munich Airport Amid Sightings Near Belgian Air Base,” CBS News, October 3, 2025, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/munich-drones-europe-belgium-military-base-russia-threat-nato/; and “Munich Airport Closed During Part of the Night After Multiple Drone Sightings,” Airlive, October 3, 2025, https://airlive.net/incident/2025/10/03/munich-airport-closed-during-part-of-the-night-after-multiple-drone-sightings/.)

Oct 4–5 — Munich suspension and national response:
On the night of October 4–5, Munich Airport suspended operations after police reported simultaneous drone sightings over the airfield at approximately 11:00 PM local time. The airport remained closed into the early morning hours, resulting in the cancellation or delay of multiple departures and the diversion of incoming flights, stranding thousands of passengers. German authorities launched investigations and escalated counter‑drone measures, while airlines—including Lufthansa—adjusted schedules and rerouted aircraft in response to the disruption. (“Another Drone Sighting at Munich Airport,” Munich Airport, October 4, 2025; and “Munich Airport Resumes Operations After More Drone Sightings Halted Flights,” Al Jazeera, October 4, 2025; and “Germany’s Munich Airport Reopens After 2nd Drone‑Related Closure in 24 Hours,” October 4, 2025, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10/4/munich-airport-resumes-operations-after-more-drone-sightings-halted-flights.)

Oct 5–6 — Oslo provisional reports:
Unidentified drones were reported near Oslo Airport late on the night of October 5–6, causing temporary delays and an airspace check after a Norwegian Air pilot reported seeing three to five drones during approach. Operations were paused briefly while police investigated and normal operations later resumed. These sightings remained unverified by official statements at the time. NRK, a Norwegian public broadcaster reported that:

“Shortly after midnight, the East District Police Department received a report from a Norwegian aircraft pilot who claimed to have seen drones during landing at Oslo airport. Police officers were dispatched to the scene and made contact with the aircraft crew to gather more information about the observation. According to available data, between three and five drones were spotted in the area. However, police noted that the presence of drones near the airport has not yet been confirmed. The police questioned the aircraft crew and launched an investigation into the incident. NRK also received several passenger reports indicating that the aircraft had to circle before landing due to the possible drone sightings. The reports of drone presence led to minor delays, but no flights were diverted. By around 01:30 on Monday, police reported that Oslo airport had returned to normal operations.”

(Economic Pravda, "Possible drone sightings near Oslo Airport caused temporary circling and delays; police investigating," NRK, October 6, 2025, https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/unidentified-drones-disrupt-oslo-airport-operations/ar-AA1NVXtu?ocid=BingNewsSerp.)

Oct 6–7 — Munich repeat and Oslo follow‑ups:
Between the night of October 6 and the morning of October 7 Munich Airport experienced another overnight suspension of operations after suspected drone sightings near the airfield, with German authorities closing the airport late on October 6 and reopening it the following morning, causing significant passenger disruption and flight delays. Contemporaneous reports again noted police calls about 3–5 drones near Oslo Airport around midnight that night. Those Norwegian sightings were not uniformly confirmed by official statements and should be treated as provisional. LB.ua reported:

“Around midnight on 6 October, Oslo police received reports of drones near the airport. According to preliminary data, three to five drones were spotted. After midnight, Flight radar showed several planes circling south of the airport. The drones caused flight delays, but none of them were diverted to another airport.

This is in contrast to numerous cases where a series of flights by unknown drones paralysed airports in Poland, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Germany and other European countries.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz suggested on ARD's Caren Miosga programme that Russia was behind most of the drones spotted over Germany and Denmark. He noted that the frequency of incursions into European airspace exceeds that of the Cold War, but none of the drones recorded were combat drones. "These are attempts at espionage. They are also attempts to destabilise the population," said the German chancellor, calling these incidents a serious threat to security.

The European Commission has announced its intention to create a system to counter hostile drones within a year. In Denmark, as part of the joint Wings of Defence exercises, Ukrainian experts shared their experience of countering strike UAVs with their partners.

At the same time, there is no talk of urgent tough anti-Russian measures. And since impunity breeds permissiveness, attacks by "unknown" drones on European cities will obviously continue.”

 (“Unknown’ drones over Europe: the EU ‘exercises caution,” LB.ua, October 7, 2025, https://en.lb.ua/news/2025/10/07/36918_unknown_drones_over_europe_eu.html, [LB.ua (Leviy Bereg) is a leading Ukrainian online news outlet known for its independent reporting on political, social, and military developments, especially in the context of the Russian invasion.)

Oct 6 — Netherlands:
On October 7, around 7:56–8:04 PM local time in Weesp, North Holland, Netherlands, a witness observed two crimson red orb‑like objects appearing within five minutes of each other. Each entered from the south, traveled silently in a straight line overhead at a 45° elevation, and disappeared northward beyond the treeline.

• The first object was seen briefly; the second was captured on video for over 2 minutes.

• Initially, both appeared as deep crimson red orbs, unlike any aircraft lights the witness had seen before.

• Midway through the sighting, the crimson color shifted: one side glowed red, the other green, with unsynchronized blinking white lights that changed speed and pattern.

• The objects moved slowly but steadily, with no sound, and seemed to linger or descend slightly before vanishing.

• The witness emphasized the unusual color, lack of aircraft characteristics, and the unsettling impression of seeing something beyond normal reality.

No further crimson anomalies were seen that night, though conventional planes were visible traveling in the same direction. The witness documented the event with GPS coordinates, timestamps, and metadata, later posting evidence to a subreddit for public review. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=193063.)

Oct 7 — Greece:
On October 7, at 9:09 PM local time in Georgioupoli, Crete, Greece, two witnesses at the Pilot Beach Resort observed a blue disc‑shaped craft flying at high altitude above the cloud layer (~3000 m). The object, estimated to be plane‑sized and 6–7 km away, displayed a vivid blue lightning‑like stripe across its middle. Over the course of 3 minutes, it moved at speeds about four times faster than a plane, executing abrupt, non‑linear direction changes that conventional aircraft could not perform. The craft appeared and disappeared behind clouds, confirming its altitude, and emitted no sound or standard navigation lights. Witnesses described the steady disc shape, glowing stripe, and erratic flight path as strongly suggestive of an unidentified aerial phenomenon. The sighting was reported later that day at 11:49 AM Pacific Time. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=193057.)

Oct 7 — England:
On October 7, at 8:19 PM local time in Wyberton, England, a single witness in their garden observed a very large, bright green orb emerging from a flash of light behind a cloud. Initially mistaken for lightning, the orb appeared suddenly at a 45° elevation directly overhead, then flew rapidly across the sky in about 10–15 seconds. The object emitted light, moved at high speed, and prompted a reaction from nearby animals. The sighting was reported later that day at 12:44 PM Pacific Time, with meteor activity suggested as a possible explanation. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=193061.)

Oct 7 — France:
On October 7, at 8:30 PM local time in Ibos, Occitanie, France, three witnesses traveling by car observed a large triangular craft hovering motionless above the trees. Estimated at 10 meters per side, the object appeared gloomy in color with bright lights at its corners, one or two of which blinked red and blue. Initially static, the craft then moved toward the witnesses, passing overhead at an altitude comparable to a helicopter—about 50 meters away. The encounter lasted about 3 minutes before the object continued southward toward Juillan. The sighting was reported later that day at 12:26 PM Pacific Time. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=193060.)

Oct 7–8 — Denmark, EU meetings, and national responses:
On the night of October 7–8, repeated drone sightings near Danish airports and military installations prompted heightened security measures across Denmark ahead of scheduled EU meetings in Copenhagen. Danish authorities restricted civilian drone operations and raised national alert levels in response. Sweden and Germany deployed additional anti‑drone assets, while allied states increased protective deployments across sensitive infrastructure. EU leaders convened to discuss continental counter‑drone strategies, including proposals frequently described as a “drone wall” and enhanced monitoring along the eastern flank. In parallel, Bavaria moved to authorize limited police shoot‑down powers amid the ongoing sightings. (“Denmark Bans Civilian Drones as It Ramps Up Security Ahead of EU Summit — as Sweden and France Contribute Equipment,” Sky News, September 29, 2025, https://news.sky.com/story/denmark-bans-civilian-drones-as-it-ramps-up-security-ahead-of-eu-summit-as-sweden-and-france-contribute-equipment-13440812; and Nette Nöstlinger and Giorgio Leali, “5 Things We Learned from the EU’s Summit in Copenhagen,” Politico, October 2, 2025, https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-summit-copenhagen-denmark-drone-wall-russian-assets/; and “Drone Wall”: EU Summit in Copenhagen Follows Airspace Violations,” France24, October 2025,https://www.france24.com/en/video/20251001-drone-wall-eu-summit-in-copenhagen-follows-airspace-violations.)

The Politico article is well worth reading to gage the feeling by Europeans regarding the uncertainty the drones cause.

October 2, 2025 12:16 am CET

By Nette Nöstlinger and Giorgio Leali

COPENHAGEN ― European Union leaders spent a day in the Danish capital discussing how to bolster the continent’s security.

“We are worried — I am very worried — and now is the time here to take action,” Finland’s Prime Minister Petteri Orpo told POLITICO on the sidelines of the summit.

It didn’t go quite according to plan, with a great deal of talk but few results. Leaders are no less worried than they were before.Here’s what happened:

1. Frozen assets stay in the freezer, for now

EU countries were not ready to endorse a European Commission plan to use Russian frozen assets to finance a loan to Ukraine. 

The Commission wants to offer Ukraine a €140 billion loan, swapping the sanctioned Russian cash from the matured assets for a tailored debt contract with Euroclear, the Belgian-based financial institution guarding the deposits. EU officials see this as a clever workaround to avoid expropriating them, which could breach international law.

One of the reasons the deal was not agreed in Copenhagen is that some countries, especially Belgium, need to be reassured the plan is legally sound. 

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever was the most cautious, as his country would bear the brunt of any Russian legal action.

After the summit, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tried to reassure Belgium and other reluctant countries that under her plan the assets wouldn’t be confiscated and that “the risks have to be put on broader shoulders.” 

But that wasn’t enough, or at least not yet. The next summit, later this month, could be “decision day,” European Council President António Costa said.

2. Leaders tell the Commission: We’re still in charge of defense

The two hours on the schedule for talking about common defense ended up taking twice that long.

While countries broadly welcomed the Commission’s proposals, leaders insisted on having a bigger say.

Given the need for further discussion, meetings among the bloc’s 27 defense ministers and the EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas will happen more frequently, said an EU official with knowledge of the summit proceedings.

The EU still needs to work out the details of the so-called drone wall, which didn’t see agreement on Wednesday. This will be “an anti-drone system that is able to do swift detection, interception and of course, if necessary, neutralization,” von der Leyen said. 

European heavyweights France and Germany expressed skepticism of a drone wall managed by the Commission, while southern countries are pushing for a broader concept that will also protect their borders.

3. Merz didn’t manage to set the agenda

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz went into the summit wanting to talk about competitiveness — and failed. 

“We will have two major topics to discuss: firstly, the competitiveness of European industry and the high, too high, level of regulation in Europe,” Merz told reporters upon his arrival in Copenhagen. “Secondly, unfortunately, we will have to talk again about the war against Ukraine.”

It seemed Merz hadn’t bothered to read the official schedule, which included one session on defense and one on Ukraine. Officials at the summit were under no illusion, though, that his message was tailored toward a domestic audience. The German leader is under increasing pressure to revamp the EU’s biggest economy and deliver on the sweeping reforms and rapid turnaround he staked his election bid on. 

4. Royal appointments trump everything else

The end point of the Copenhagen summit was dictated by a dinner invitation. The Danish royals invited EU leaders for dinner at 7 p.m. sharp.

That appointment added the pressure of a deadline. But the session on security and defense took four hours, twice as long as scheduled, because leaders went beyond their pre-written talking points and free-styled answers. Costa, who chaired the meeting, didn’t dare cut the mic given how sensitive the talks were, said an EU official, who denied the talks took longer because of disagreements among leaders.

Leaders eventually made it to the dinner on time. Only von der Leyen, Costa and Fredriksen returned to the summit venue to brief the press. 

5. All the members of the club want to decide who can enter

Costa’s idea of fast-tracking Ukraine’s bid to join the EU didn’t work. And that was no surprise. 

As POLITICO first reported on Monday, Costa suggested changing EU rules so that formal accession talks could begin with the backing of a qualified majority of leaders, instead of requiring unanimous consent. That was a no-go for the Hungarian prime minister, who is the EU leader closest to Russian President Vladimir Putin. But other countries, including France, the Netherlands and Greece, were also opposed and let the proposal sink.

During the summit, Orbán was one of the few leaders to talk about the plan. And that was to reject it.

(Nette Nöstlinger and Giorgio Leali, “5 Things We Learned from the EU’s Summit in Copenhagen,” Politico, October 2, 2025, https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-summit-copenhagen-denmark-drone-wall-russian-assets/.)

Oct 8–9 — Thales Belgium warnings and provisional reports:
Overnight into October 8–9, Thales Belgium reported a surge in unidentified drone sightings over its secure facilities, including the Évegnée Fort site in eastern Liège—the only location in Belgium licensed to assemble and store explosives for 70 mm rockets. The company issued warnings about escalating security risks and called for clearer legal authority to deploy jamming or other countermeasures. Thales’ country director, Alain Quevrin, noted that drone activity has increased markedly in recent months. While the site’s detection systems remain active, the firm is legally prohibited from using jammers without explicit government approval. At the time, Belgian authorities had not publicly attributed the overflights, and analysts viewed the incidents as part of a broader pattern of hybrid surveillance targeting strategic infrastructure across Europe. (Victor Jack, “Top EU Weapons Firm Warns of Drone Threat to Production Lines,” Politico, October 8, 2025, https://www.politico.eu/article/top-eu-weapons-firm-warns-drone-threat-production-lines/; and “Thales Belgium Urges EU to Define Drone Rules After Mysterious Flyovers Above Its Facility,” United24 Media, October 8, 2025, https://united24media.com/latest-news/thales-belgium-urges-eu-to-define-drone-rules-after-mysterious-flyovers-above-its-facility-12305.)

Politico reports:

By Victor Jack

HERSTAL, Belgium — One of Europe’s biggest air defense companies is warning that its top secret factories are being overflown by increasing numbers of drones, and it wants clear rules on how to jam or bring them down.

“We are seeing more drones than what was the case a few months ago,” said Alain Quevrin, country director for Thales Belgium. He highlighted sightings over the company’s Évegnée Fort site in the eastern Liège region, the only Belgian facility where it is licensed to assemble and store explosives for its 70 mm rockets.

(Victor Jack, “Top EU Weapons Firm Warns of Drone Threat to Production Lines,” Politico, October 8, 2025, https://www.politico.eu/article/top-eu-weapons-firm-warns-drone-threat-production-lines/.)

Oct 9 — EU Resolution:
The European Parliament passed a resolution urging member states to authorize the shoot‑down of Russian drones and aircraft violating EU borders—marking the first formal EU call for direct engagement against suspected incursions. (European Parliament Resolution of 9 October 2025 on a United Response to Recent Russian Violations of the EU Member States’ Airspace and Critical Infrastructure, P10_TA(2025)0230; and Anastasiia Lisova, “European Parliament Calls for Shooting Down Russian Drones and Planes That Violate EU Borders,” LIGA.net, October 9, 2025; and Kateryna Hodunova, “EU Parliament Calls for Readiness to Down Russian Aircraft, Drones Over Member States’ Territory,” Kyiv Independent, October 9, 2025, https://kyivindependent.com/eu-parliament-condemns-russian-escalatory-actions-calls-for-possible-downing-of-hostile-aircraft/.)

Oct 1 & 10 — Greece:
Two observers in Ravdoucha, Greece, reported repeated sightings of multiple star-like spherical lights in the night sky out over the sea. On October 1, the lights appeared intermittently for about 20 minutes, moving slowly in various directions and fading in and out. On October 10, the same phenomenon lasted for approximately 1.5 hours, with some of the lights changing color to green and red. The lights seemed to interact with one another, did not behave like satellites, and maintained a slow, drone-like pace at high altitude. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=193146.)

Oct 9 — England:
On October 9, at 4:54 AM local time in Grays, England, five witnesses observed a formation of more than 20 bright lights moving downward across the southeastern sky at about a 28° elevation. The lights appeared to descend in a coordinated pattern over the course of 1–2 minutes. The event was later reported on October 8 at 9:59 PM Pacific Time, and was identified as a certain Starlink satellite formation. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=193095.)

Oct 9 — Norway:
On October 9, around 9:00 PM local time in Ås, Akershus, Norway, a single witness observed a pearlescent white cone‑shaped object moving rapidly across the star field at a very high altitude, appearing similar in size to nearby stars. The object was tracked for about 1–2 minutes before disappearing. Shortly afterward, the same area of sky emitted bright white flashes, described as resembling camera flashes. The witness emphasized that the craft appeared silent, far above the atmosphere, and emitted beams of light. After consulting possible natural explanations—meteors, satellites, auroras, or reentries—none matched the timing or description. The sighting was reported later that day at 6:00 PM Pacific Time. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=193135.)

Oct 10 — Scotland:
At 11:50 PM in Kilmarnock, Scotland, a witness observed for 20 minutes a green flashing light moving erratically behind clouds—sometimes stopping, then accelerating rapidly. The observer initially thought it was a satellite but noted unusual changes in direction. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=193157.)

Oct 10–11 — Ongoing Incidents:
Media and officials documented continued unidentified drone sightings, airport disruptions, and counter‑drone measures across multiple European countries. Governments debated expanded authorities and coordinated defenses. In its October 11 assessment, the Institute for the Study of War noted that European authorities continue to report increased unidentified drone activity near military facilities. (“There Were Interruptions in Communication: ISW Explained What the New Drone Incident Over European Countries Means,” Global Happenings, October 11, 2025.)

Oct 11 — England:
In Bedford, England at 10:30 PM local time two individuals saw a triangle-shaped object with white lights on each point which moved extremely slowly towards the North West and then South when it stopped right above the witnesses to disappear out of site in a fine misty sky. The witnesses said it was a great distance away and shaped like “a perfect isosceles triangle” and must have been “absolutely gigantic in size.” It was described as “transparent/translucent” because it “didn’t look like it had anything other than 3 bright lights at each point, but was too perfect of an isosceles triangle to be separate.” (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=193172.)

Oct 12-13 — Sweden:
Reports came in describing anomalous lights off the coast of Sweden:

50-100 unidentified lights over ocean off the coast in northern Sweden 2 nights in a row.

Sighting

Time: Sunday October 12, 4am. Again on Monday October 13, 4am.
Location: Off the coast of Luleå, Sweden.

A newspaper from the city of Luleå in northern Sweden has an article today. The basic story is this:

A fishing fleet was off the coast of Luleå 4 in the morning on Sunday when they saw a light over the water, and then another and another. One witness said "It was between 50 to 100 lights. They had different colors. White and red and green. One that was close to the water looked like it had a search light under it when we looked through binoculars." They were all silent and the witnesses could not be sure if they moved or not. Either they were still or they were moving slow, because the boats were moving so it was hard to tell.

The newspaper talked to the closest airport and they said that they had gotten reports in about similar sightings but they could not explain it.

The military is not saying anything about it.

It happened again Monday morning around the same time says the article.

Edit: Here's the link to the article, but it's in Swedish and behind a paywall to read the full thing. But you can see the headline and the basic story.
https://www.kuriren.nu/nyheter/lulea/artikel/mystiska-ljussken-i-lulea-skargard-det-var-skrammande/re78wnyj

The article is behind a paywall, but this much has been gleaned and translated:

Headline
“Mystiska ljussken i Luleå skärgård: ’Det var skrämmande’”
“Mysterious light displays in the Luleå archipelago: ‘It was frightening’”

Lead
The fishing trip had just begun when the morning sky filled with strange lights.

Quote
– “There were so many of them. We’re not talking about ten—more like between fifty and one hundred. It was frightening,” says Robert Karlsson, professional fisherman.

Body
It was around 4:00 AM on Sunday morning when the fishing fleet left the port in Lövskär. Half an hour later, between Sandön and Junkön, the first sighting occurred of what the fishermen suspect were drones.
– “The first one was above Junkön. I thought it was a planet, but it showed white, green, and red light. Then we saw another, and when we started looking around…”

Oct 12-13 — Northern Europe:
Futura reports that:

“Now the pattern is repeating. Just last night, several unidentified drones were seen flying around — and directly over — runways at Munich Airport. Authorities halted air traffic at 10:30 PM, and 17 flights were canceled. In recent weeks, more drones have been seen in northern Germany. . . .These aren’t the loud, radar-visible Shahed drones. These are smaller craft — low-profile machines that primary radar often can’t detect. And without clear images or IDs, the public can’t tell the difference.” (Sylvain Biget and the Futura Team, “Unidentified drones are flying over Europe: why aren’t they being shot down? . . . The Copenhagen drones had fixed wings and were fairly large. But in recent sightings, officials suspect small quadcopters or compact fixed-wing drones. In fact, on September 27 near Kiel, observers reported a swarm of tiny drones flying in sync with a larger ‘mothership.’ That larger drone — about the size of a DJI Matrice 300 — could easily carry a payload, like a communication relay to control smaller drones and transmit data back to an operator. Flying low and quiet, they’re hard to detect — especially in cities or complex terrain.”

(Futura-Sciences, October 12, 2025, accessed October 19, 2025, https://www.futura-sciences.com/en/unidentified-drones-are-flying-over-europe-why-arent-they-being-shot-down_20667/.)

Oct 13–14 — Europe (no new incursions):
No new unidentified‑drone incursions were publicly reported overnight between October 13–14. Authorities in Germany, Denmark, and Belgium, however, remained on heightened alert as European defense ministers continued deliberations over coordinated counter‑drone measures.

Oct mid-month — Alps:
Swiss media reported an unusual incident in which a police helicopter was allegedly pursued by a large, unidentified drone during a night patrol near the Alps. The drone was described as significantly larger than commercial models, flying at higher altitude and actively maneuvering to shadow the helicopter for several minutes before breaking off. Authorities found no registered flights or signals matching the drone, and the episode was quickly linked in public discussion to the broader wave of mystery drone incursions across Europe. The chase stood out because it suggested deliberate interaction with manned aircraft rather than passive overflights of bases or airports, raising serious air‑safety concerns and reinforcing suspicions that these were coordinated surveillance probes rather than random hobbyist flights. (I wasn’t able to locate a formal government or mainstream press release specifically confirming the Swiss police helicopter chase by a mystery drone in mid‑October 2025. The incident has been discussed in secondary reporting and commentary videos (“Swiss Police Helicopter Chased by Mystery Drone,” YouTube video, Cosmic Road, November 23, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiCA-t9NOrQ&t=1s.)

Oct 14 — Canary Islands (Fuerteventura):
Flights were temporarily grounded at Fuerteventura Airport on the morning of October 14 after a drone was reported flying too close to the airfield. The disruption delayed operations and affected roughly 600 passengers before normal service resumed. (“Drone Sighting Halts El Matorral Airport Operations This Morning,” Fuerteventura News, October 14, 2025; and Amelia Neath, “Flights Diverted After Drone Flies Too Close to Popular European Holiday Airport,” The Independent, October 16, 2025, https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/fuerteventura-airport-drone-flights-diverted-canary-islands-b2846482.html; and “Spain, Transport Incident, Level 3: Air Traffic Disruptions at Fuerteventura Airport,” NHE Travel Advisory, October 14, 2025, https://www.nhetravel.com/2025/10/14/spain-transport-incident-level-3-air-traffic-disruptions-at-fuerteventura-airport-fue-canary-islands-spain-update-1/.)

Oct 15 — England:
On October 15, at 5:11 PM local time in Fairfield Park, Milton Keynes, England, three witnesses observed a disc‑shaped object moving steadily across the sky. The craft appeared black or silver, with smooth, controlled motion and no sound. A striking feature was a visual distortion or ripple ahead of the object, unlike a normal aircraft trail. A second, similar disc was also seen further along the same path before disappearing into clouds. The first object was tracked visually until it faded into cloud cover. No wings, lights, or conventional features were visible. The event lasted less than 5 minutes and was later reported on October 19 at 2:58 PM Pacific Time. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=193390.)

Oct 15 — Sweden:
On October 15, at 8:00 PM local time in Johannisberg, Västernorrlands län, Sweden, a single witness riding a moped stopped to stargaze and observed a large grey disk‑shaped craft hovering above the forest about 70–100 meters away. Estimated at 10–20 meters across, the object resembled a classic flying saucer with vertical rectangular lights along its midsection. After hovering briefly, it suddenly moved westward at an estimated 90 km/h, maintaining a perfectly level, steady flight without wobbling or turning. The event lasted about 4 seconds. No sound was heard, likely masked by the witness’s helmet and running moped. The sighting left the witness uneasy, prompting further skywatching, during which they noticed other objects behaving unlike normal satellites—stopping or changing direction abruptly. The incident was reported on November 13 at 12:51 PM Pacific Time. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=194081.)

Oct 16 — England:
at approximately 4:14 PM local time, a single observer in Weybridge, Surrey, England, reported an unusual aerial object captured in a photograph. The witness, a pilot, had taken photographs of a tree in his garden after work was completed, intending to send them to his mother. Upon reviewing the images, he noticed a grey, cylindrical object positioned above the tree. The object appeared at an angle of elevation of about 45 degrees, in the southern direction. Its size, distance, and speed could not be determined, as it was only visible in the still photo. The shape was distinctly cylindrical, and its appearance raised questions when the witness attempted to identify it using online tools and discussion groups, none of which provided a clear explanation. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=193528.)

Oct 17 — Estonia Drone Incident:
Around 4:30 PM local time, in Estonia, two drones of unknown origin were detected near Camp Reedo, a base used by US and allied forces. Estonian troops employed an anti-drone system to neutralize one of the aircraft, though the wreckage was not recovered, leaving its origin unconfirmed. The incident came amid heightened vigilance across the Baltic states, where both Lithuania and Latvia have reported repeated airspace violations by Russian jets and occasional drone incursions from Belarus earlier in the year. Taken together, these episodes underscore NATO’s growing concern over hybrid threats in the region—where unmanned systems, probing flights, and ambiguous provocations test the alliance’s readiness without crossing the threshold of open conflict. (Zita Ballinger Fletcher, “Two Drones Swoop Near Estonian Base Housing US Troops, 1 Shot Down,” Army Times, October 31, 2025, https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2025/10/31/two-drones-swoop-near-estonian-base-housing-us-troops-1-shot-down/; and “U.S. Troops in Estonia Disable Unidentified Drone Over NATO Outpost Near Russian Border,” Army Recognition, October 29, 2025; and “NATO Allies Shoot Down Unidentified Drone Over US Barracks in Estonia,” ERR News, October 28, 2025, https://www.armyrecognition.com/news/army-news/2025/u-s-troops-in-estonia-disable-unidentified-drone-over-nato-outpost-near-russian-border.)

The US Army’s Defense News reports:

Drone Over NATO Outpost Near Russian Border.

• 29 Oct, 2025 - 11:03

• Defense News Army 2025

Two unidentified drones were detected near Estonia’s Reedo Barracks, home to U.S. Army units, prompting allied troops to disable one using an anti-drone rifle. The incident underscores NATO’s growing emphasis on counter-drone defense near the Russian border.

Reedo Barracks hosts the U.S. Army’s 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, an armored reconnaissance unit whose sensors and communications packages are highly sensitive in peacetime and decisive in a crisis. The site’s location near Võru puts it close to Russia, measured variously as less than 30 kilometers straight and roughly 35 kilometers by road to the Luhamaa border crossing. These distances explain why even a small quadcopter near the fence triggers a rapid allied response.

There is no public description of the drones themselves, no photographs and no confirmed origin. What is disclosed is the method of neutralization: a handheld anti-drone rifle. These are electronic-attack devices that project energy into the control and navigation links typically used by small unmanned aircraft, including 2.4 and 5.8 GHz command and video bands and satellite navigation signals. When jammed, most commercial-class drones either descend, hover aimlessly or attempt to return to a pre-programmed home point, outcomes that can make debris recovery uncertain in wooded terrain. Manufacturer data for widely fielded systems such as the U.S.-made Dronebuster and the Lithuanian EDM4S describe exactly these effects, though Estonian officials have not identified the specific model used at Reedo.

The absence of wreckage is therefore not the telltale of a cover-up but a predictable consequence of non-kinetic neutralization. Jamming a drone at standoff distance might induce an automated return flight in a direction that is unknown to the responding unit or cause a soft landing in thick forest beyond a base perimeter. ERR’s report that a combined EDF and police search found nothing lines up with how these systems work against small, commercially derived airframes.

This incident matters for three reasons that go well beyond local nuisance. First, it occurred over a base that stages U.S. forces within quick reach of Russia. Reedo opened as part of Estonia’s push to reinforce the south and can accommodate about 1,000 allied and Estonian personnel, giving NATO a ready platform for rapid reinforcement and pre-planned dispersal. In the current geopolitical context, that makes it a high-value target for probing, mapping and information operations.

(“U.S. Troops in Estonia Disable Unidentified Drone Over NATO Outpost Near Russian Border,” Army Recognition, October 29, 2025; and “NATO Allies Shoot Down Unidentified Drone Over US Barracks in Estonia,” ERR News, October 28, 2025, https://www.armyrecognition.com/news/army-news/2025/u-s-troops-in-estonia-disable-unidentified-drone-over-nato-outpost-near-russian-border.)

Oct 17 — Faro, Portugal:
At 8:34 PM in Faro, Portugal, a fast moving zigzagging bright light in the sky was observed for approximately 45 seconds. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=193349.)

Oct 17 — Sweden:
At approximately 7:26 AM local time, a single observer in Göteborg, Västra Götaland, Sweden, reported witnessing an unusual aerial object during the morning hours. While near a tram station on the way to work, the witness noticed a grey, cylindrical object in the sky. The craft appeared slightly smaller than a plane, with an angle of elevation of about 25 degrees. Its closest distance and speed were difficult to determine. The object emitted blinking lights and seemed surrounded by a faint aura or haze. Aircraft were noted nearby at the time of the sighting. The witness attempted to photograph a passing plane but instead captured an image of the unidentified object. The encounter raised unsettling impressions, with the witness even suggesting the possibility of abduction due to the strange nature of the sighting. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=193312.)

Grey blinking object captured over Göteborg, Västra Götaland, Sweden.

Oct 18-20 — More German drone sightings:
Munich Airport temporarily closed on October 18 after unidentified drone reports which diverted three flights and canceling one although no drones were found by authorities. (Evrim Açağı, “Drone sightings disrupt major European airports days apart,” Evrim Açağı, October 20, 2025, https://evrimagaci.org/gpt/drone-sightings-disrupt-major-european-airports-days-apart-511759.)

Oct 19 — England:
At 6:45 AM local time in Clacton-on-Sea, England, a single observer reported seeing a bright, star-like object in the sky above nearby houses. The phenomenon resembled a glowing snowflake, with illuminated points that shifted and then vanished suddenly like a firework. Over the course of the sighting, the object appeared to move slowly, showing lights and a faint aura or haze at an elevation of about 51°. The observer noted the object was approximately 50 kilometers away and quite large in appearance. The event lasted only briefly, with the object reappearing and disappearing multiple times before fading completely from view. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=193366.) Then that same day on October 19, 2025, at approximately 8:40 PM local time in Yeovil, England, a military witness driving into Ilchester briefly observed a fast‑moving amber/orange orb at a 60° angle of elevation in the northeastern sky. The spherical object showed no surrounding lights, left no trail, and disappeared within about 2 seconds as it moved rapidly out of view over a tree line. It was not seen again once the witness passed the obstructed area. The sighting was reported later that day at 1:04 PM Pacific Time. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=193385.)

Oct 19 — Spain (Palma de Mallorca):
On the evening of October 19, Palma de Mallorca Airport temporarily suspended incoming flights after multiple pilots and staff reported a drone near the runways. Operations were halted for roughly 30–35 minutes, delaying departures and forcing eight flights to divert to Ibiza, Menorca, and Barcelona. Police and airport teams searched the area, while Spanish authorities opened an investigation into the incident. Palma de Mallorca Airport is the Balearic Islands’ main aviation hub located about 170 km off Spain’s eastern coast. Enaire confirmed that operations were halted. The Spanish Ministry of Interior reported on another case where officials actual neutralized two drones:

Officers of the National Police detected and neutralized two drones yesterday that were flying in the vicinity of the security perimeter for the Copa del Rey sailing regatta. The rapid action of the officers forming the deployment in Palma de Mallorca, specifically members of the Royal Household together with the Aerial Media Service and public safety units, made it possible to identify the two pilots and propose sanctions to AESA — the State Aviation Safety Agency.

Content for social media

The first incident occurred at around 12:30 PM when a drone flight was detected near Parc del Mar, about 300 meters from the competition’s security perimeter. Immediately, Security and Air Protection officers proceeded to jam it and then notified coordination bodies so that nearby public safety patrols could locate the pilot and neutralize the drone.

The officers quickly identified the pilot, a US national, and proceeded to seize the aircraft and draw up the corresponding report for carrying out a prohibited flight.

Specialists confirmed that the person involved did not have the required insurance, was not registered as an operator, had no certificate authorizing drone operation, and the aircraft lacked an identification plate. For these reasons, he faces a fine ranging from €600 to €250,000, depending on the severity determined by AESA — the State Aviation Safety Agency. According to the information provided by the pilot, his intention was to create content for social media.

A tourist proposed for sanction

The second case occurred at around 5:30 PM in the same Parc del Mar area. The actions of the different units were similar and they likewise neutralized the aircraft and identified the pilot, this time a tourist of Polish origin who has also been proposed for sanction to AESA.

(Ministerio del Interior, “La Policía Nacional detecta y neutraliza dos drones que volaban en las inmediaciones del círculo de seguridad de la Copa del Rey de Vela,” Ministerio del Interior (Spain), August 2, 2022, https://www.interior.gob.es/opencms/es/detalle/articulo/La-Policia-Nacional-detecta-y-neutraliza-dos-drones-que-volaban-en-las-inmediaciones-del-circulo-de-seguridad-de-la-Copa-del-Rey-de-Vela/.)

Evrim Açağı reported in the Grand Pinnacle Tribune:

On two consecutive nights in mid-October 2025, two of Europe’s busiest airports—Palma de Mallorca in Spain and Munich in Germany—found themselves at the center of unexpected disruptions. The culprit? Drones, or at least, the reported presence of them. The incidents, reported by Dario de Mallorca and the Associated Press via Wings Magazine, have reignited concerns about the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to unmanned aerial vehicles and the challenges authorities face in responding quickly and effectively.

At Palma de Mallorca Airport, the drama unfolded on the evening of October 19. According to Dario de Mallorca, at least six flight crews reported seeing a drone near the airport, prompting an immediate shutdown of operations for about 35 minutes. The stakes were high: with nearly 900 takeoffs and landings scheduled for that day, the airport was bustling with activity. "The detection of a drone in controlled airspace triggered a swift government response. Flights that were already approaching the airport were redirected to avoid potential collision risk. Ground staff at Palma de Mallorca and other airports worked to prevent panic among passengers and to create safe operating conditions," Dario de Mallorca reported.

As a result, around ten flights had to be redirected to Barcelona and Valencia, while the remainder of the traffic was left in limbo. Though operations resumed closer to 8 PM local time, some flights faced delays of up to 90 minutes. The disruption, while brief, was a stark reminder of how a single drone can throw a major transportation hub into chaos—even if only for a short while.

Spanish authorities wasted no time in launching an investigation into how the drone managed to enter restricted airspace. In Spain, flying drones within a five-kilometer radius of an airport without a special permit is strictly prohibited. Violations can lead to hefty fines or even criminal liability, emphasizing just how seriously the country takes such breaches. As of now, the identity of the drone operator remains a mystery, and officials are combing through radar data, eyewitness accounts, and airport security footage in hopes of tracking down the responsible party.

Meanwhile, over in Germany, Munich Airport was dealing with its own drone scare just a day earlier. As reported by the Associated Press via Wings Magazine, the airport—one of Germany’s largest—was temporarily closed on the night of October 18 after several people, including security officials and airport employees, reported "suspicious observations" of drones. The sightings occurred first around 10 PM for about 30 minutes, and then again at 11 PM for another half-hour.

Unlike in Palma de Mallorca, the impact in Munich was relatively minor. Three flights were diverted, two of which eventually returned to land at Munich, and one departure was canceled. By midnight, the airport had reopened, and by the following morning, air traffic was back to normal. Federal police, however, were left scratching their heads. Despite the flurry of reports, they "did not find any drones or suspicious people in the area," according to the Associated Press. The incident added to a string of recent drone-related disruptions at Munich—earlier in October, the airport had closed twice in 24 hours due to drone sightings, affecting thousands of travelers.

These incidents are just the latest in a series of drone-related scares that have plagued European airports in recent years. While the technology behind drones has advanced rapidly, making them more accessible and affordable than ever, the regulatory and enforcement frameworks designed to keep them out of sensitive airspace have struggled to keep up. The fact that both Palma de Mallorca and Munich are major international gateways only heightens the stakes.

For passengers caught up in the confusion, the experience was as bewildering as it was frustrating. Travelers found themselves stranded mid-journey, rerouted to unfamiliar cities, or anxiously awaiting updates in crowded terminals. Airport staff, meanwhile, scrambled to manage the fallout, directing passengers, coordinating with airlines, and working closely with law enforcement to restore order as quickly as possible.

The response from authorities in both countries underscores just how seriously such incidents are treated. In Spain, the legal framework is clear: any unauthorized drone flight near an airport is a criminal matter. The investigation at Palma de Mallorca is expected to focus not only on finding the operator, but also on identifying any potential lapses in security or surveillance that allowed the drone to get so close in the first place.

In Germany, the situation is complicated by the fact that no physical drone was ever found. This raises questions about how airports and law enforcement should respond to reports that cannot be immediately verified. Should they err on the side of caution and halt operations, even if it means disrupting thousands of passengers? Or does the risk of false alarms outweigh the potential danger posed by an actual drone?

It’s a dilemma with no easy answers. On one hand, the potential consequences of a drone colliding with a passenger jet are catastrophic—an outcome no airport or regulator is willing to risk. On the other, the cost of repeated false alarms can be significant, both in terms of operational disruption and public confidence. As drone technology continues to evolve, so too must the strategies used to detect and neutralize potential threats.

Some airports have begun investing in advanced detection systems, including radar, radio-frequency scanners, and even anti-drone countermeasures that can disable or capture rogue devices. But these systems are expensive, and their effectiveness can vary depending on the size, speed, and sophistication of the drone involved. In many cases, human observation remains a critical component of early warning—though, as the Munich incident shows, even eyewitness reports can be difficult to verify in the heat of the moment.

For now, both Palma de Mallorca and Munich airports are back to business as usual. But the events of October 2025 serve as a wake-up call for airport authorities, regulators, and drone enthusiasts alike. The message is clear: as drones become more common, the need for robust rules, vigilant enforcement, and effective detection technologies has never been greater.

Whether these incidents will prompt further changes in policy or investment remains to be seen. What’s certain is that the intersection of drones and commercial aviation is only going to become more complex—and more contentious—in the years ahead. For passengers, pilots, and airport staff, the hope is that the next time a drone appears near an airport, the response will be faster, more targeted, and, above all, safer for everyone involved.

(Evrim Açağı, “Drone sightings disrupt major European airports days apart,” Evrim Açağı, October 20, 2025, https://evrimagaci.org/gpt/drone-sightings-disrupt-major-european-airports-days-apart-511759.)

Oct 20 — England:
On October 20, two separate witnesses in England reported unusual bright aerial lights. First in Newton Poppleford, Brookden, at 5:39 AM local time that morning, a witness observed two bright white orbs, each estimated 20–30 feet wide, hovering side by side directly overhead at a 90° angle of elevation. After several minutes, one orb abruptly shot away at an impossible speed—estimated 700–1000 mph—while the other remained briefly before vanishing. The witness emphasized that no human aircraft could maneuver in such a way. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=193433.) Then in London, Earlsfield ,at 7:34 AM local time another witness saw an enormously bright, stationary white light in the sky, appearing larger than a large aircraft. After hovering briefly at a 45° angle of elevation, about 2–3 miles away, the light suddenly accelerated at enormous speed into the far horizon and disappeared within about 5 seconds. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=193406.) Both incidents were reported to NUFORC later the same day, adding to the cluster of mid‑October anomalous light sightings across the UK.

Oct 21 — England:
On October 21, at 9:20 AM local time in Hathersage, England, a single witness walking along Harper Lees Road observed a small, highly reflective silver sphere about 60 cm in diameter hovering just 40–50 feet above the treetops. The object appeared metallic, covered in square reflective panels, and hovered silently for 10–15 seconds before suddenly shooting sideways out of view. The witness’s dog reacted strongly, barking until the object had passed. The sighting lasted about 20 seconds in total and was later reported on October 30 at 4:30 PM Pacific Time. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=193697.) Then later on October 21, at 10:00 PM St. Neots, England, two observers witnessed an “amber orb” approximately five miles away at about 500 meters altitude which was making erratic maneuvers in the sky. It then reportedly joined with two other orbs. The witness stated that the orbs were “dodging and weaving amongst each other, after 5 minutes they stopped in an equal triangle formation and started moving as 1. . . before all 3 orbs seemed to become 1.” (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=193423.)

Three interacting lights/orbs/drones? over St. Neots, England.

Oct 21 — Greece:
On October 21, at 1:00 AM local time in Kos, Greece, three witnesses observed three massive, bright red rhombus‑shaped objects flying silently southwest across the sky. The objects were clearly visible to the naked eye against the dark, clear night, moving in a loose row at an estimated altitude of 10–20 km. Each remained visible for about 10–15 seconds before disappearing. Witnesses ruled out satellites, drones, or aircraft due to the unusual shape, color, and complete silence. The sighting was reported later that morning at 2:23 AM Pacific Time. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=193436.)

Oct 21-25 — Fresh drone incursions:
Between October 21 and 25, Europe experienced a string of fresh drone incursions that underscored the growing hybrid threat to NATO airspace. On October 21, multiple unidentified drones were spotted over RAF Waddington and RAF Coningsby in the UK, the same day new “shoot-down” rules were announced. The following day, Poland reported two drones near Białystok, one briefly crossing into Lithuania before vanishing. On October 23, Romania recovered drone debris in Tulcea County near the Danube Delta, believed to have originated from across the Black Sea. The next day, October 24, Norway temporarily closed Bergen Airport after sightings of three drones near the runway, raising concerns about offshore launch points. Finally, on October 25, the French Air Force scrambled jets when two drones appeared near the Cherbourg Naval Base, home to nuclear submarines, in what officials described as probing activity. Together, these incidents highlight a coordinated pattern of drone testing across NATO’s northern, eastern, and western flanks within just five days. (UK MoD; Polish Armed Forces; Romanian Defense Ministry; Norwegian CAA/police; French Ministry of Armed Forces.)

Oct 24 — England:
On October 24, at 1:05 AM local time in Birkenhead, England, a single witness observed a large greenish light in the southern sky from their bedroom window. Initially resembling a helicopter searchlight, the object displayed unusual behavior: a second light appeared to emerge from it, then joined back together before the combined object flew off toward the River Mersey. The light showed a faint aura or haze and appeared to emit other objects. The event lasted about 24 seconds and was later reported on October 25 at 6:48 AM Pacific Time. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=193557.)

Oct 25 — Scotland:
On October 25, at 9:28 PM local time in Inverclyde, Scotland, two witnesses stargazing on a clear night observed a bright green light high in the western sky at about a 60° angle of elevation. The object appeared suddenly, shone brightly for a couple of seconds, then disappeared in a flash. Roughly five minutes later, one witness captured a photo of the stars with an iPhone, which revealed the same bright green object of unusual shape—though it was no longer visible to the naked eye. The witnesses ruled out camera artifacts, aurora borealis, aircraft, or satellites, noting that surrounding stars were clear and in focus and no other lights were present. The sighting was reported later that day at 2:33 PM Pacific Time. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=193563.)

Oct 26 — England:
An observer near Glastonbury, England, reported that at 5:15 AM they spotted an orange light passing over. “The sky was clear and stars and Mars were clearly visible. Then another light passed following the first, then another, and another. I checked the aircraft tracker app, none passing traffic in the area, I also checked a satellite tracking app, in case it was just Starlink, but nothing was in the area. More appeared, flying west to east, at regular intervals, same distance apart, same speed. 20 or 30 must have passed before I woke my partner. I wanted to make sure I wasn’t seeing things. She saw them too. Then they passed in a wingman formation, one slightly ahead of the other, then they were side by side, sometimes 3 in a row, all heading in the same direction, same speed. I only saw one not following the line, it was some distance to the north of the line, but same colour, same speed. The last 2 passed over around 5:40am. I’ve seen Starlink, it definitely was not that. They produced no trails.” (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=193583.)

Oct 26-28 — Belgian:
Belgian authorities opened an investigation after multiple unidentified drones were observed over key areas of the Marche-en-Famenne military base, on Sunday and Tuesday (Oct 26 and Oct 28). (“Belgium Investigates New Drone Sightings Over Military Base,” The Straits Times, October 29, 2025, https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/belgium-investigates-new-drone-sightings-over-military-base; and “Drones Spotted Above Belgian Military Base,” VRT NWS, October 29, 2025, https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/en/2025/10/03/drones-spotted-above-belgian-military-bases/.)

Oct 27 — Zadar, Zadar County, Croatia:
Object seen off the coast at 8:40 PM local time shaped as “tick triangle with 3 lights moving West to East slowly with humming sound.” (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=193619.)

Oct 27 — Wales:
At approximately 8:41 PM local time, two observers in Caerwent, Wales, reported witnessing a striking aerial phenomenon that lasted around thirty seconds. From the ground, they saw a single circular sphere of orange light positioned at an angle of elevation of about 45 degrees, in the north‑west direction. The object appeared to be roughly 500 meters away, though its exact size and speed could not be determined.The sphere radiated with such intensity that it illuminated the entire sky. Its form was clearly circular, and its defining characteristic was the powerful orange glow that distinguished it from the surrounding night. After its brief appearance, the light faded, leaving no further trace. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=193730.)

Oct 28 — Spain, Alicante-Elche Airport:
At Spain’s Alicante-Elche Airport airspace was closed for about two hours after a drone sighting near Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport around 8:53 PM, diverting ten flights and affecting roughly 1,000 passengers; operations resumed around 11:00 PM. Media reported:

Airport operator Aena reported the sighting at 8:53 p.m., prompting an immediate suspension of all take-offs and landings as a safety precaution. Operations were gradually restored at 11:00 p.m., following security checks and clearance from air traffic control.

During the shutdown, ten international flights were diverted to nearby airports — seven to Valencia, one to Murcia, one to Barcelona, and one to Palma de Mallorca. Authorities estimate that around 1,000 passengers were affected by the disruption, which triggered heightened security alerts and coordination among aviation and law enforcement agencies.

(Staff Reporter, “Alicante-Elche Airport Reopens After Drone Sighting Forces Two-Hour Shutdown,” The Leader, October 28, 2025, https://theleader.info/2025/10/28/alicante-elche-airport-reopens-after-drone-sighting-forces-two-hour-shutdown/.) (ABC News, “A Drone Sighting Closes a Popular Spanish Airport for 2 Hours,” October 28, 2025, https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/drone-sighting-closes-popular-spanish-airport-2-hours-126930051.)

Oct 29 — Bright light over Ireland & Scotland:
At approximately 6:30 PM on Wednesday evening, reports across Ireland described a bright, slow-moving light traveling west to east with no audible sound.

One group of observers recalled: “We saw a strange green/grey light above our house. There was no noise accompanying this flying object. It moved very slowly across the sky. We have never seen anything similar.” Other accounts described the object in more unusual terms. A pilot on approach to Cork during a training flight reported it appeared “almost triangular in shape, with the bottom of the triangle quite bright, almost like lights, and moving at a slightly varying speed.” (Philip Downes, “Mystery Surrounding ‘UFO’ Spotted over Irish Skies Solved,” Extra.ie, October 30, 2025, https://extra.ie/2025/10/30/news/ufo-sighting-ireland.)

Local coverage soon pointed to a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch as the likely cause. High‑altitude exhaust plumes or fuel dumps can appear from the ground as glowing orbs, swirls, or even triangular shapes. Multiple outlets and eyewitness posts later identified the object as the Falcon 9 carrying a Starlink satellite payload, consistent with the timing, trajectory, and visual characteristics seen across the country.

Photo agencies documented the phenomenon over Kildare the same evening, with experts noting it was most likely plume‑related debris from the launch. The Starlink‑318 mission lifted off from Cape Canaveral at 12:35 PM Eastern (4:35 PM UK/Irish time). Given the northeast trajectory and twilight conditions, the illuminated vapor plume—sometimes called a “space jellyfish”—would have been visible far downrange after sunset.

By 8:30 PM local time, observers across Ireland and the UK reported dramatic views of the glowing formation. This aligns with the expected visibility window, when the rocket’s exhaust remained sunlit at orbital altitude while the ground below was already in darkness, producing the striking, swirling display captured in photographs that evening.

In County Kildare, Ireland a “strange yellow orb in the sky was seen omitting light while flying. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=193672.)

In Dublin, County Dublin, at 8:30 PM local time a strange light was observed moving very slowly across the sky with no accompanying noise. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=193669.)

In County Kerry, Ireland at 8:30 PM a slow moving luminous kite-like object moving at slow speed was observed in the sky. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=193671.)

That same night at 10:00 PM local time an observer from Leslie, Scotland, reported a “craft initially resembling rocket launch began impossible maneuvers emitting beams of light into clouds.” (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=193675.)

Oct 29 — Poland:
At 9:36 PM local time in Warsaw, Poland, three observers witnessed a large, luminous sphere rotating around its axis in the night sky. The object appeared suddenly outside their window, moving west to east before freezing in place for about five seconds, then resuming its motion. Throughout the two-minute sighting, the sphere spun like a yo-yo or top, changing colors from blue to light blue, neon green, and silvery white. Finally, it vanished from view, splitting into a bright white and fiery orange light. The phenomenon was accompanied by visible lights, an aura or haze, and even animal reactions, underscoring the unusual nature of the event. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=193673.)

Oct 30 — England:
At approximately 6:35 AM local time, three observers in England reported witnessing a brief but unusual aerial phenomenon lasting around thirty seconds. One witness, stepping outside to leave for work, noticed a bright ball of light hovering low in mid‑air. The object was silent and appeared at an angle of elevation of about 46 degrees, at a closest distance of roughly 300 meters. Its estimated size was around eight meters. The light swayed slightly from side to side before slowly fading. As it dimmed, a new formation of white and red lights appeared, arranged in an arrow or triangular shape. At this point, the faint outline of a black craft was visible against the sky. The lights and craft then gradually disappeared from view, fading into nothingness. Two additional witnesses, a man and woman walking their dog nearby, observed the same event. When asked if they had seen it, they confirmed, responding with curiosity about its nature. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=193682.)

(Philip Downes, “Mystery Surrounding ‘UFO’ Spotted over Irish Skies Solved,” Extra.ie, October 30, 2025, https://extra.ie/2025/10/30/news/ufo-sighting-ireland.)

(National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=193672.)

Oct 31 — Netherlands:
At 12:55 AM local time in Weesp, North Holland, Netherlands, a lone observer reported seeing a large, black, triangular (boomerang-shaped) object gliding steadily across the sky on a northwest heading (330°). The craft, estimated at roughly 300 feet in size and about 500 feet from the viewer, moved at a speed near 100 mph without a vapor trail. Its outline appeared darker than the night sky, with faint lights visible on its underside. The object was observed from the ground at a 64° angle of elevation, westward (270°), and passed lower than the altitude of a commercial aircraft. The sighting lasted approximately 20 seconds. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=193706.)

Nov 2 — Northern Ireland:
In the countryside near Kilcoo, Northern Ireland, over the mountains, a remarkable aerial display was observed by two witnesses at 4:00 AM local time. From the ground, the witness saw a series of circular objects glowing white, some accented with red lights. At an angle of elevation of approximately 46 degrees and at a closest distance of about five miles, the lights appeared in varying directions around his house, moving at random speeds. Initially, eight small, round, bright objects were visible, accompanied by a much larger one distinguished by red lights. Altogether, ten luminous shapes were counted. The smaller objects arranged themselves in a straight line, weaving around one another before beginning to interlink. Nearby, the larger object hovered steadily above the hill, remaining in place for over an hour. During this time, the smaller shapes darted back and forth, leaving visible tracers as they shot across the sky. As the scene grew brighter, the larger object emitted what appeared to be a small box of strange light. This box floated across the sky before stopping abruptly in front of the witness’s son. It then transformed into a flame-like shape above the trees. While watching, the son reported hearing a repetitive, unusual sound and experiencing a strange sensation that defied description. The flame-like form shifted into a glowing orb, hovering for about fifteen minutes before slowly ascending into the sky, resembling a star. Around the house, two additional orbs were seen drifting off in opposite directions, while the larger hovering object remained fixed above the hill. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=193750.)

Nov 1-5 — Belgian and European Drone Incursions:
On November 1–3, a wave of suspicious drone activity disrupted military and civilian aviation sites in Belgium and Germany and intensified concerns across NATO about coordinated espionage and air‑space harassment. The most consequential events centered on Kleine Brogel Air Base in Belgium, a NATO facility long associated in reporting with US tactical nuclear weapons and Belgium’s F‑16 force. Over the three‑day period authorities and several news outlets described two distinct waves of activity at Kleine Brogel: an initial series of small drones believed to be testing radio frequencies and a subsequent group of larger drones that Belgian officials characterized as intended to “destabilize the area and people.” These craft hovered near sensitive assets, notably parked F‑16 fighters and munitions storage, prompting Belgian defense officials to treat the incursions as a suspected coordinated spy operation and a direct threat to the base’s security.

Timeline and local effects

• November 1–2: Local reporting and official statements first recorded drones over Kleine Brogel, with Belgium’s defense ministry warning that the incidents represented a clear attack on the facility. Witnesses and surveillance footage described small unmanned systems operating at low altitudes, apparently testing communications and sensor profiles.

• November 2–3: A second, larger wave of drones returned to the area; Belgian officials said these craft behaved more deliberately and lingered near aircraft and ammunition depots. The pattern of two waves—initial probes followed by heavier incursions—shaped assessments that the flights were reconnaissance or destabilization attempts rather than isolated hobbyist activity.

• November 2 (Germany): Bremen Airport suspended operations for almost an hour after a drone sighting near the field in the evening, causing flight delays and at least one diversion. The interruption illustrated how the same drone activity affecting military sites was also degrading civilian aviation and air‑traffic flows.

• November 4 there were new, widely reported drone sightings that forced temporary airport shutdowns and flight diversions in Belgium. Brussels Airport briefly suspended operations after a drone was seen near a runway; dozens of flights were canceled or diverted and authorities opened an investigation. Liège (Liège-Bierset) also reported a drone sighting that led to a short suspension and diversions. Local reports that same evening described multiple drones seen near Peer and continued sightings around the Kleine Brogel area, reinforcing the pattern of probes and more disruptive incursions noted earlier. The AP reported: “Dozens of flights at Belgium’s main international airport were canceled on Wednesday after drone sightings overnight forced it to close temporarily, prompting Prime Minister Bart De Wever to convene a meeting with senior ministers to discuss safety concerns.” (Alex, “Brussels airport shut down after mystery UFO ‘drone’ incursions,” Citizen Watch Report, November 5, 2025, https://citizenwatchreport.com/brussels-airport-shut-down-after-mystery-ufo-drone-incursions/.)

  It was the first time that the airport in Brussels has been shut down by drones. It comes after a series of unidentified drone flights over the weekend near a military base where US nuclear weapons are stored.

The Kleine Brogel episodes fit a wider string of drone sightings and incursions across Europe in recent months, with multiple reports of drones over military installations and dual‑use airports. The repetition, targeting of sensitive infrastructure, and tactical pattern—small probes followed by larger, lingering systems—have led defenses and analysts to take the threat seriously. (David Axe, “Unidentified Drones Flew Over U.S. Military Bases for 17 Nights in a Row,” Newsweek, October 30, 2025, https://www.newsweek.com/unidentified-drones-flew-over-us-military-bases-17-nights-row-1830592; and Brendan Cole, “Belgium Says Drone Attack Targeted NATO Nuclear Base,” Newsweek, November 2, 2025, https://www.newsweek.com/belgium-drone-attack-nato-nuclear-base-1830846.)

“This was not a simple overflight, but a clear mission targeting Kleine-Brogel,” Francken said on social media. “We are further increasing our vigilance in order to apprehend the pilots.” (André Orban, “New Drone Sightings Reported over Belgium’s Kleine‑Brogel Air Base,” Aviation24.be, November 3, 2025, https://www.aviation24.be/military-bases/kleine-brogel-air-base/new-drone-sightings-reported-over-belgiums-kleine-brogel-air-base/.)

Drone sightings have also been reported recently over military installations, industrial sites, and critical infrastructure in Denmark, Norway, Poland, Romania, Estonia, and Belgium. The DNYUZ article elaborates:

Belgium’s defense minister said three drones were spotted over a sensitive military base on Sunday.

• Theo Francken said the drones were clearly spying, but a deployed jammer failed to neutralize them.

• Several vehicles, including a helicopter, were deployed to chase one drone but lost track of it.

Belgium, the host of NATO’s headquarters, said it’s been struggling to deal with drones spying on a critical military base housing its advanced fighter aircraft.

Theo Francken, Belgium’s defense minister, wrote on X on Sunday that the country had detected at least three large drones flying high over the Kleine-Brogel air base within a single night.

“This was not a simple flyover, but a clear mission with Kleine-Brogel as the target,” he wrote.

The incident underscores concern in the West that Europe unprepared for the evolving fightagainst hostile uncrewed aerial systems.

On Sunday, Francken wrote that a deployed drone jammer couldn’t neutralize the aircraft. He speculated that the failure may have been due to issues with distance or the jammer not targeting the correct radio frequency.

He added that a police helicopter and several vehicles were mobilized to pursue one of the drones, but they eventually lost track of it after chasing the system for several kilometers.

Francken wrote that more counter-uncrewed aerial systems “are urgently needed.”

While he didn’t say on Sunday who was operating the drones, European leaders have continually suggested that Russia is the culprit for a series of recent similar incursions in NATO territories.

Earlier this week, the defense minister said he was proposing a $58 million plan to immediately purchase systems that can detect and destroy enemy drones, warning that Belgium was in an “interim phase” between peace and war. Francken has also urged Belgium to consider long-term investments of some $580 million for anti-drone defenses.

For context, Brussels plans to spend roughly $38 billion between 2026 and 2034 to shore up what it said are gaps in its country’s forces. In February, it raised its 2025 defense budget to $13.8 billion, or about 2% of Belgium’s GDP.

Kleine-Brogel, in northeastern Belgium, hosts the country’s fleet of F-16 Fighting Falcons and is set to be where Brussels will keep its new F-35 Lightning IIs.

The US is also largely believed to be storing several dozen nuclear weapons at Kleine-Brogel as part of its nuclear deterrence strategy in Europe.

The Belgian defense ministry did not respond to a request for comment sent outside regular business hours by Business Insider.

Francken’s statement on Sunday comes as Belgium has reported drone incursions over several bases, including repeated sightings this weekend at Marche-en-Famenne, which hosts a logistics camp for the Belgian army.

On October 3, Belgium reported at least 15 drone sightings over its Elsenborn training camp near the German border.

European NATO has been on high alert for airspace violations since early September, when multiple Russian drones entered Poland in one night and prompted Warsaw to activate its forces to intercept.

Multiple alliance members, such as Denmark and Norway, have since reported drone incursions over military installations and civilian airports.

The string of incidents has left Europe scrambling for cost-effective ways to fight enemy drones, which are often far cheaper than the interceptors that NATO traditionally relied on for aerial threats.

Some NATO allies, including Denmark and Poland, have sought to bolster their air defenses with help from Ukraine, which now often fights hundreds of Russian drones in a single night.

(DNYUZ, “Drones Disrupt European Airspace and Military Sites,” DNYUZ, November 3, 2025.)

In summary, in the last four days drones operating in at least two distinct waves over Kleine Brogel Air Base, together with disruptive sightings at civilian airports like Bremen, signal a worrying escalation in small‑UAS activity across Europe. Many of the reports describe unidentified drones flying deliberate grid‑like or “lawn‑mower” tracks over sensitive sites rather than moving randomly. Witnesses and local authorities in parts of Germany and elsewhere observed small unmanned aircraft making repeated, evenly spaced parallel runs that cover an area methodically. Those grid patterns are a classic reconnaissance technique used to gather overlapping imagery or to systematically sample radio‑frequency environments across a site.

Grid flights increase the likelihood attackers can produce high‑resolution stitched imagery, generate detailed maps of infrastructure, or build comprehensive RF profiles that reveal communications, radar, or air‑defense emissions. The reported behavior fits a broader pattern seen in recent incursions: small probe drones followed later by larger, longer‑endurance craft that linger near parked aircraft, munitions, or other valuable assets. Observers also reported operators changing frequencies or using evasive tactics when countermeasures were applied.

While grid patterns strongly suggest organized reconnaissance and deliberate intent, they do not by themselves prove state sponsorship. There is an unknown element to this story.

Defense News reports:

Belgium suspects ‘spy operation’ in drone flight near nuclear air base

By Elisabeth Gosselin-Malo

 Monday, Nov 3, 2025

An American F-35A fighter jet performs a dedication pass during an airshow over Kleine Brogel Air Base, Belgium, Sept. 8, 2023. (Staff Sgt. Thomas Barley/Air Force)

MILAN — Authorities have recorded 14 unidentified drone sightings across Europe in the last two months, the latest hovering above a Belgium tactical fighter aircraft base that also reportedly houses U.S. tactical nuclear weapons.

Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken said Belgium was targeted on two consecutive nights from Nov. 1-3 by drones that flew in different stages near the Kleine Brogel installation.

The first phase included “small drones to test the radio frequencies” of the country’s security agencies, and the subsequent one consisted of “big drones to destabilize the area and people,” Francken said in an interview with Belgian public broadcaster RTBF.

“It resembles a spy operation – by whom, I don’t know. I have a few ideas, but I am going to be careful [about speculation],” he added.

While Washington does not disclose the number of tactical nuclear weapons deployed on European soil, the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation estimated that there are at least 100 U.S.-owned ones stored in five NATO countries across six bases, including Kleine Brogel.

(Elisabeth Gosselin‑Malo, “Belgium suspects ‘spy operation’ in drone flight near nuclear air base,” Defense News, November 3, 2025, https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2025/11/03/belgium-suspects-spy-operation-in-drone-flight-near-nuclear-air-base/.)

Independent and other outlets quoted Defense Minister Théo Francken and other officials describing the incidents as deliberate spying missions and urging urgent procurement of counter‑drone systems, but none of those reports document a confirmed kinetic kill on Nov. 12–13.

Reuters reports:

Belgium: Drone sightings at Kleine Brogel airbase

John Silk (with Reuters, dpa)

Over the weekend, unidentified drones were detected hovering above Belgium’s Kleine Brogel air base, which his the location of a U.S. nuclear weapons storage facility, prompting investigations into a possible espionage operation.

Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken said Sunday that a jammer was unsuccessfully used during the overnight drone sightings over Belgium’s Kleine Brogel airbase, which is used by NATO forces.

“Last night, we received 3 reports of drones above Kleine Brogel, of a larger type and flying at higher altitude,” Francken wrote on X. “It was not a simple overflight, but a clear command targeting Kleine Brogel. A drone jammer was used, but without success.

(John Silk, with Reuters and dpa, “Belgium: Drone Sightings at Kleine Brogel Airbase,” Deutsche Welle (DW), November 23, 2025, https://www.dw.com/en/belgium-drone-sightings-at-kleine-brogel-airbase/a-74590891.)

Nov 4— Kuwait:
At approximately 5:00 PM local time, a solitary observer in Mahboula, Kuwait, reported witnessing an unusual aerial object over Al Ahmadi in the Al Ahmadi Governorate. The sighting lasted for at least thirty minutes. From the ground, the witness observed a black, spherical object positioned about 30 degrees above the horizon, with an angle of elevation of roughly 45 degrees. The closest estimated distance to the object was between one and two kilometers. The sphere appeared stationary at times, though its presence was distinct against the sky. Its dark coloration contrasted with the surrounding environment, and it was clearly visible from the observer’s vantage point. Given its characteristics and behavior, the witness noted the possibility that the object was a drone. Photos were captured. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=193805.)

For 30 minutes one black small object observed in Kuwait sky.

Nov 5— Belgium Airport Disruptions:
During the overnight hours, both Brussels Airport and Liège Airport were forced to suspend flights for several hours due to suspected drone activity. The disruption left hundreds of passengers stranded, with many compelled to spend the night at the airport. In response, Belgium’s Interior Minister described the incidents as “coordinated” and suggested they were likely carried out by professional actors. “The airport operator said that about 400-500 travelers spent the night there after 41 flights were cancelled and 24 diverted to other airports.” (“Latest drone sightings force flight cancellations at Belgium’s main airport,” Euronews, November 5, 2025, https://www.euronews.com/2025/11/05/latest-drone-sightings-force-flight-cancellations-at-belgiums-main-airport.)

France 24 reports:

Belgium probes drone sightings after flights halted overnight

Brussels (Belgium) (AFP) – Belgian authorities on Wednesday investigated drone sightings that halted air traffic overnight at several airports, as flights resumed after hundreds of passengers were left stranded.

The main airport in Brussels and another in Liege had to suspend arrivals and departures late Tuesday for several hours after suspected drones were spotted nearby.

Dozens of passenger and cargo flights were cancelled and some 500 passengers forced to spend the night at Brussels Airport in the Belgian capital.

Interior Minister Bernard Quintin said that investigations were underway to try to identify how many drones were involved in the latest such incident in Europe and who was behind them.

The government was set to hold an emergency meeting of its national security council on Thursday to discuss the disruptions.

"The recurrence of drone-related incidents directly affects the security of our country," Quintin wrote on X.

"We must act in a calm, serious and coordinated manner."

The interruptions came after a recent spate of mysterious drone incidents targeting airports and sensitive military locations in several European countries, including Germany and Denmark.

Suspicions have swirled over potential Russian involvement in increased drone activity across Europe, with tension high as the war in Ukraine drags through its fourth year.

Over the weekend, Belgian authorities reported drone activity over the Kleine-Brogel military base, where a number of US nuclear weapons are believed to be stored.

'Trying to sow panic'

A spokesman for air traffic controller Skeyes told AFP that flights had been able to restart by the early morning after the interruption.

Some 400-500 passengers had to spend the night at Brussels Airport because of the sightings, airport spokeswoman Ariane Goossens told AFP.

A spokesman for Liege airport -- a major freight hub that operates many overnight flights -- said the incidents were "worrying for national security".

Flights were able to start again at the airport in the early hours of Wednesday after a six-hour hiatus, spokesman Christian Delcourt said.

Flemish media outlet HLN also reported more drone sightings near the Kleine-Brogel military base on Tuesday evening, but that was not confirmed by authorities either.

Defence Minister Theo Francken earlier refused to point the finger at Russia for the weekend sightings near the base, but said that they appeared to be a coordinated operation carried out by "professionals".

"They are trying to sow panic in Belgium," Francken told local media. "This is destabilisation."

(“Belgium probes drone sightings after flights halted overnight,” France24, November 6, 2025, https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20251106-belgium-probes-drone-sightings-after-flights-halted-overnight.)

Nov 6-7 — Liège Airport:
On November 6–7, new sightings again disrupted Liège Airport, and Belgium’s National Security Council accelerated plans for a national airspace security center and urgent procurement of counter‑drone systems. Defense Minister Theo Francken warned that Belgium is in an “interim phase between peace and war,” pushing for both immediate €50 million investments and longer‑term funding exceeding €500 million to modernize defenses. While attribution remains unconfirmed, European leaders widely suspect Russian involvement, noting similar incursions across Denmark, Norway, Poland, and Romania. The incidents underscore NATO’s vulnerability to low‑cost, high‑impact drone operations that can simultaneously harass military bases and cripple civilian air traffic. News agencies have stated that “Moscow has denied any connection with the incidents, and there has been no evidence to directly link the drones to Russia.” (Al Jazeera Staff and News Agencies, “Belgium’s Liège Airport Temporarily Halts Flights after New Drone Sighting,” Al Jazeera, November 7, 2025, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/11/7/belgiums-liege-airport-temporarily-halts-flights-after-new-drone-sighting; and Brandon J. Yaniz, “Belgium Probes Drone Incursions after Airport Disruptions,” Adept Travel News, November 7, 2025, https://adept.travel/news/2025-11-07-belgium-drone-incursions-airports; and Alessandro Parodi and Benoit Van Overstraeten, “Belgium’s Liège Airport Temporarily Halted Again Due to Drone Sighting,” Daily Maverick, November 7, 2025, https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-11-07-belgiums-liege-airport-temporarily-halted-again-due-to-drone-sighting/.)

Nov 7 — Miranda do Corvo, Coimbra District, Portugal:
Three observers described a persistent disk-shaped object observed in the Taurus constellation beginning at 9:58 PM local time on 7 November. The object appeared white with multiple lights and was viewed at a steep elevation (about 85°) near the center of Taurus. Witnesses reported the object could move forward and backward and also hover in place. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=193927.)

Nov 7 — England:
On the morning of 7 November at 5:00 AM local time a single observer on a second‑floor balcony in Liverpool reported a 30‑plus minute sighting of a hovering, tennis‑ball–sized aerial object south of their position. The witness and their partner described an intense, translucent light that changed shape from circular to cubic, shifted hue between red and green with a steady white/orange core, and varied in brightness while moving slightly in place. Still photos and video taken by the partner purportedly show a purple streak or flash in the same airspace and confirm the object’s color and shape changes. The witnesses, experienced at identifying local aircraft and familiar with the night sky from this vantage point, stated the sighting did not match any known planes, helicopters, or stars. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=193914.)

Europe Gleams Brightly at UAP Tracking Site | Drones Spark Controversy
Link: https://mysterylores.com/news/europe-uap-drone-sightings-tracking-map/.

Nov 8 — Weesp, North Holland, Netherlands:
A single observer reported an aerial event beginning at 6:48 PM local time on 8 November 2025 near Weesp. The witness described a spherical object, smaller than a private jet, showing stationary red and white lights that began to move just as the observer started recording. The object was tracked on a phone until it vanished approximately 30 minutes after first sighting. The observer estimated the closest distance at about 150 meters, an elevation angle near 45 degrees, and a bearing from the viewer of 200° (south). Coordinates provided by the reporter: 23°05'37.6"N 109°42'37.8"W. The observer noted the event could possibly be a drone. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=193958.)

Nov 8-9 — Sweden (Gothenburg Landvetter Airport, Doel nuclear power plant:
Gothenburg’s main airport reported drone activity disrupting operations. On the evening of 9 November, three to five small drones were observed over the Doel nuclear power plant. Engie, the plant operator, said operations were not affected and authorities were notified. Initial reports mentioned three drones, but later assessments raised the count to five after roughly an hour of sightings. Accounts describe a short but sustained presence rather than a single overflight, which has heightened concern that the flights were coordinated probes amid a broader pattern of incursions targeting Belgian airports, military sites, and other critical infrastructure. Belgian authorities have opened multiple investigations, convened national security bodies, and requested allied technical assistance from the UK, France, and Germany. Officials say foreign state involvement is plausible—reports often cite Russia—yet no conclusive public attribution or recovered hardware has been announced, and technical details (drone models, telemetry, radio signatures) remain limited pending forensic work by allied teams and the federal investigation. (“Drone Activity Disrupts Flights at Gothenburg Landvetter Airport,” The Local Sweden, November 8, 2025, https://www.thelocal.se; and “Drones Spotted over Doel Nuclear Power Plant, Belgian Authorities Confirm,” Reuters, November 9, 2025, https://www.reuters.com; and “Belgium Confirms Multiple Drone Sightings over Doel Nuclear Facility,” Politico Europe, November 10, 2025, https://www.politico.eu; and Colin Clapson, “Drones spotted above Doel nuclear power plant: ‘No nuclear danger,’” VRT NWS, November 10, 2025, https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/en/2025/11/10/drones-spotted-above-doel-nuclear-power-plant-no-nuclear-danger/; and Elena Giordano, “Belgium flounders as 5 drones buzz nuclear power plant,” Politico, November 10, 2025, https://www.politico.eu/article/drones-spotted-belgium-nuclear-plant-doel-airspace-incursions/; and Yuri Zoria, “Five unidentified drones flew over Belgium’s Doel nuclear plant,” Euromaidan Press, November 10, 2025 (reporting and aggregating Reuters and Belgian official statements), https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/11/10/five-unidentified-drones-flew-over-belgiums-doel-nuclear-plant/.)

VTR NWS reports:

Local police say they will not be making any further comments.

VRT News energy specialist Luc Pauwels insists: ‘There’s no nuclear danger’

‘Several people have seen three drones above the Doel nuclear power plant,’ explains energy specialist Luc Pauwels. ‘Drones are not allowed there; it is a no-fly zone.’

The flight ban was clearly violated, but there is no nuclear danger. ‘Our nuclear reactors can withstand aircraft crashes. The oldest nuclear reactor can withstand the impact of a small sports plane, and the other nuclear reactor is surrounded by two concrete buildings that can withstand the impact of a passenger plane such as a Boeing 737.’

In other words, we cannot assume that drones can damage the nuclear reactors – or even the buildings surrounding them.

(VRT NWS, “Drones spotted above Doel nuclear power plant: ‘No nuclear danger,’” VRT NWS, November 10, 2025, https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/en/2025/11/10/drones-spotted-above-doel-nuclear-power-plant-no-nuclear-danger/.)

Politico reports:

Belgium flounders as 5 drones buzz nuclear power plant

U.K., France and Germany send assistance.

The latest incidents comes amid a surge of drone activity disrupting key infrastructure across Belgium. | Nicolas Maeterlinck/Belga/AFP via Getty Images

November 10, 2025 10:48 am CET

By Elena Giordano

Five drones were spotted flying over Belgium’s Doel nuclear power plant near the Port of Antwerp on Sunday evening, energy company Engie said.

"Initially we had detected three drones, but then we saw five drones. They were up in the air for about an hour," Engie spokesperson Hellen Smeets told POLITICO Monday morning.

The first report of the three drones came shortly before 10 p.m. on Sunday, Smeet said, adding that the sightings had no impact on the plant operations. Belgium’s national Crisis Center, which is currently monitoring the situation, confirmed the incident.

Earlier in the evening, air traffic at Liège Airport was briefly suspended after multiple drone reports, with flights halted around 7:30 p.m. and resuming less than an hour later.

The latest incidents comes amid a surge of drone activity disrupting key infrastructure across Belgium. Airports in Brussels and Liège faced repeated interruptions last week, while drones were also spotted over military bases and the Port of Antwerp.

Belgium held a National Security Council meeting Thursday, after which Interior Minister Bernard Quintin said that authorities had the situation “under control.”

While the government has avoided attributing blame, Belgium’s intelligence services suspect foreign hands, with Moscow seen as the most likely source, according to local media. Defense Minister Theo Francken said Saturday that “Russia is clearly a plausible suspect.”

On Sunday, the U.K. announced it will join France and Germany in sending personnel and equipment to help Belgium counter drone incursions around sensitive sites.

(Politico Europe, “Belgium flounders as 5 drones buzz nuclear power plant,” November 10, 2025, https://www.politico.eu/article/drones-spotted-belgium-nuclear-plant-doel-airspace-incursions/.)

Digital Art by James Hall.

Nov 9 — Kaliningrad, Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia:
A single observer in Kaliningrad reported an unusual aerial event above a local hospital at 1:53 AM on 9 November. The witness described a non-linear flying object moving in a zigzag pattern traced with red lines, surrounded by an aura or haze and visible lights. The object’s motion included abrupt, chaotic disappearances or “teleportation” of a red point. The observer estimated the object’s elevation at about 45 degrees to the north, its size at roughly scale 4, and its speed at an estimated 8 (units not specified). The sighting lasted approximately 3 minutes. The witness suggested the object exhibited reactions consistent with some form of neural interface and reported a possible abduction characteristic. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=194021.)

Nov 9 — England:
On November 9, 2025, two separate witnesses in England reported brief anomalous lights. At 5:00 PM local time in Tadcaster, a witness observed a large bright white light, roughly the size of a car, flaring in the sky above the river. The object moved a short distance at an estimated 15–20 km/h, flashed once or twice, and then disappeared after about 10 seconds. The witness noted similar past sightings of flashing lights that vanish, ruling out satellites or shooting stars. Earlier that morning at 6:17 AM local time in Ringwood, another witness saw a small yellow orb shining brightly near the rising sun. The object appeared far away, at a 30° angle of elevation, moving leftward at about 70 mph before fading from view. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=193977; and https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=193967.)

Nov 9-10 —NATO responds:
Germany and France have sent specialist teams to Belgium to help counter the recent drone incursions. On November 9–10 the UK deployed Royal Air Force counter‑drone crews and equipment to Belgium after a direct request from the Belgian Chief of Defence. RAF specialists are now assisting operations at Brussels and Liège airports as well as Kleine‑Brogel, marking the first UK military involvement abroad in this wave of incidents. The deployments underscore NATO’s concern that the incursions are part of a broader hybrid warfare campaign probing European airspace defenses. The London News Network reports:

UK military help Belgium combat suspected Russian drone flights

In a decision made alongside Defence Secretary John Healey, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, the Chief of Defence Staff, the personnel and equipment are now on the way after his Belgian counterpart asked for help earlier this week.

Belgium’s main airport at Zaventem closed temporarily on Thursday night after drones were spotted nearby and also at military bases, with around 3,000 Brussels Airlines passengers affected as dozens of flights were cancelled or diverted.

Sir Richard said it is “plausible” that the incursions were by Russia, after both the Belgian security services and German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said they suspected the same, although it remains unknown who ordered them.

Sir Richard told the BBC’s Sunday Morning With Laura Kuenssberg programme: “I spoke to my Belgian opposite number in the week and he asked if we would be prepared to support them, and the Defence Secretary and I agreed at the end of last week that we would deploy our people, our equipment to Belgium to help them.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, the Chief of Defence Staff, said the equipment and personnel are now on the way (RUSI)

“It is important to be clear, though, that we don’t know – and the Belgians don’t yet know the source of those drones – but we will help them by providing our kit and capability, which has already started to deploy to help Belgium.”

Other Nato allies are also supporting Belgium, with the German defence ministry announcing on Friday that it will provide anti-drone measures following the country’s request for help.

Put to him that the British military is now helping a European country defend itself from suspected Russian attacks, Sir Richard said: “We don’t know whether they’re Russian attacks, but they have had these drones which are providing disruption to their airfields and have been sighted over their military bases.

“And the UK, alongside our other 31 allies in Nato, will work to support each other, and that’s why the Defence Secretary and I are very happy to see UK military personnel deployed to support Belgium.”

A ‘no drone’ sign just outside the perimeter of Brussels International Airport after reported drone activity over the airport this week (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

However, the armed forces chief did go on to describe Russia as “the most pressing threat right now” to Europe, saying: “The illegal invasion of Ukraine has shown the barbaric nature of Russia’s war efforts.”

He warned that “we [The UK] need to strengthen ourselves” against so-called hybrid warfare amid sabotage and killings carried out by Moscow in Britain.

A number of drone sightings have caused major travel disruptions across Europe in recent months, with some officials accusing Russia of “hybrid warfare”, but the Kremlin has denied any involvement. Suspicions have been driven by Moscow’s more serious airspace incursions in Eastern Europe, also over recent months.

Responding to incursions, the UK recently sent RAF Typhoon jets to take part in Nato’s air defence missions over Poland in efforts to bolster European security.

(London News Network, “UK military help Belgium combat suspected Russian drone flights,” November 9, 2025, https://londonnewsnetwork.com/2025/11/09/uk-military-help-belgium-combat-suspected-russian-drone-flights/.)

Nov 10 — England:
On November 10, at 4:15 AM local time in Morpeth, England, a single witness driving eastward through a rural area observed two white orbs, each about 2–3 meters in diameter. The orbs appeared locked together, spinning like a wheel with a faint aura and trail. Seen at a 40° angle of elevation and only a few hundred meters away, they rotated rapidly before suddenly separating and flying off in different directions, faster than a shooting star. The entire event lasted about 30 seconds and was later reported on November 12 at 12:45 PM Pacific Time. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=194056.)

Nov 10 — Perspective to date:
Since September 22, Europe has experienced a wave of “mystery drone” sightings that defy easy classification. Similar clusters have appeared elsewhere in at least ten waves over recent years. Previous waves were reported in North America, the UK, the Middle East, and Asia—often near sensitive infrastructure such as nuclear plants, military bases, and energy facilities. Europe’s current incidents fit this pattern, with sightings concentrated around strategic sites and border regions. The phenomenon also echoes earlier “mystery aircraft” episodes of the late 19th and early 20th centuries such as “phantom airships,” “ghost rockets” and other aerial anomalies that puzzled observers before aviation was widespread. Strange lights have been a phenomenon in northern Europe and especially the Hessdalen Valley in Norway since the 1930s.

What distinguishes this wave is its timing. These drones are operating amid a volatile geopolitical landscape shaped by the war in Ukraine and heightened nuclear rhetoric. With the world’s largest nuclear powers at odds, the reappearance of elusive drones at strategic locations adds a disquieting layer to an already complex and escalating situation.

Despite recent advances in drone technology, many of these objects defy easy categorization. They often appear larger than consumer drones, exhibit unusual flight endurance, and sometimes maneuver in ways inconsistent with known UAV capabilities.

While Russia is the obvious suspect, many of these incidents do not resemble conventional platforms from its known arsenal. Reports describe fixed‑wing drones with red or green navigation lights, and in some cases a more intense red glow—an unsettling detail reminiscent of the “Scandinavian Mystery Drones” of past decades. Numerous witnesses even describe self‑luminous airframes, a feature that pushes the sightings into anomalous territory despite official emphasis on conventional explanations.

Observers have asked a simple but pointed question: if you’re spying on someone, why light yourself up like a Christmas tree? Adding to the puzzle are accounts of flying‑wing shapes, repeated incursions, and deliberate targeting of sensitive infrastructure. The tactical pattern is striking—small probes followed by larger, lingering systems. Many reports describe drones flying precise grid‑like or “lawn‑mower” tracks over critical sites, rather than moving randomly. They often operate on unusual frequencies that make them nearly impossible to track, jam or disbale. This activity echoes similar reports from New Jersey and the UK in late 2024, where sightings have continued over time.

Why would a Russian drone fly illuminated?

The central question remains: does Russia possess a drone platform that fits this reported activity? Analysts note that Russia fields a wide range of UAVs—such as the Orlan‑10, Forpost, Geran/Shahed series, and Lancet loitering munitions—but none match the self‑luminous, grid‑pattern, flying‑wing descriptions now being reported. China, the world’s largest drone manufacturer, supplies both military and civilian UAVs, and some of these could theoretically fit aspects of the sightings. Yet evidence points mainly to Chinese drones being exported to Russia for battlefield use, not clandestine flights over NATO territory.

Meanwhile, NATO and US forces are conducting defensive operations, including Operation Eastern Sentry, but there is no indication that the alliance is deliberately flying “mystery drones” over its own infrastructure.

The anomalous sightings—self‑luminous airframes, flying‑wing shapes, deliberate grid patterns—do not align neatly with Russia’s or China’s documented drone inventories. Both adversaries possess advanced UAV capabilities, but the luminous, conspicuous behavior seems counterintuitive for espionage. NATO operations remain defensive and transparent. Increasingly, analysts frame these incursions as a form of hybrid warfare: probing defenses, sowing confusion, and exploiting ambiguity to unsettle both military and civilian observers.

Russia’s Known Drone Capabilities

• Reconnaissance UAVs:

• Orlan‑10 – fixed‑wing, widely used for battlefield surveillance.

• Forpost – Israeli‑derived reconnaissance drone, larger and more capable.

• Attack/Loitering Munitions:

• Geran‑2 (Shahed‑136) – Iranian‑designed kamikaze drone, used extensively in Ukraine.

• Lancet – loitering munition with precision strike capability.

• Limitations vs. Sightings:

• These drones typically operate covertly, without visible navigation lights.

• They are not known to fly deliberate “grid‑like” patterns over NATO infrastructure.

• Flying‑wing luminous drones are not part of Russia’s documented arsenal.

🔹 China’s Drone Capabilities

• Civilian & Dual‑Use Dominance:

• China leads global civilian drone production (DJI, FPV drones, etc.).

• Many of these drones are dual‑use, adapted for military reconnaissance and harassment.

• Military Exports:

• Evidence shows China has sold armed drones to Russia.

• FPV drones and components (motors, batteries, controllers) overwhelmingly come from Chinese supply chains.

• Fit to Sightings:

• Chinese drones could explain some fixed‑wing or FPV activity, but luminous airframes and flying‑wing designs remain unusual.

NATO / US Operations

• Defensive Posture:

• NATO has launched Operation Eastern Sentry to counter Russian incursions.

• Assets include French Rafales, German Eurofighters, Danish F‑16s, and allied air defense systems.

• No Evidence of “Mystery Drones”:

• NATO flights are conventional military patrols, not covert luminous UAVs.

• The alliance emphasizes deterrence and interception, not clandestine surveillance of its own sites.

Why the “Christmas Tree” Effect?

• Possible Explanations:

• Misidentification of conventional drones with navigation lights.

• Civilian drones repurposed for surveillance, often retaining visible LEDs.

• Psychological or deception tactics—making drones visible to test NATO responses.

• Atmospheric or optical effects exaggerating perceived luminosity.

(“Russia’s Drone Arsenal: Orlan‑10, Forpost, Lancet, and Geran‑2,” Military Balance 2024 (International Institute for Strategic Studies, 2024); and “China’s Expanding Drone Industry and Military Exports,” Defense News, October 2024; and NATO Press Release, “Operation Eastern Sentry: Allied Air Defense Measures,” Brussels, October 2024; and Witness accounts compiled in regional press reports, September–November 2024 (Scandinavia, UK, New Jersey.)

Nov 11-14 — Europe:
Europe saw no major new clusters of mystery drone sightings, with activity limited to continued monitoring and isolated reports. In Belgium, authorities at Brussels and Liège airports maintained heightened alert following earlier November disruptions, but no fresh large-scale incursions were confirmed. Coverage during this period largely consisted of follow‑up reporting and government requests for military assistance with detection equipment. Similarly, in Denmark and the United Kingdom, reporting referenced prior incidents—such as earlier UK base overflights and Danish airport alerts—yet no new, coordinated swarms or significant incursions were documented. In short, the mid‑November window was marked by vigilance and isolated sightings rather than fresh mass events. Federal prosecutors acknowledged they were investigating 17 prior unexplained drone incidents at airports, military bases, and even near a nuclear power station. (“Unexplained Drone Flights Fray Nerves in Belgium,” Asharq Al‑Awsat, November 13, 2025, https://english.aawsat.com/world/5208282-unexplained-drone-flights-fray-nerves-belgium.)

Nov 15 — Scotland:
On the evening of November 15, at 7:30 PM local time in Dunoon, Scotland, two witnesses observed a bright white light high in the sky while walking along a public path overlooking the River Clyde. The light appeared larger than surrounding stars and was seen at about a 75° angle of elevation, estimated near 5,000 feet. Initially, it seemed to move northward before disappearing. Roughly ten minutes later, the same light reappeared in the same area, remained still, then shifted slightly downward before fading out as if behind a cloud—though the sky was clear and other stars remained visible. The object emitted no sound and showed no navigation lights typical of aircraft or drones. The witnesses ruled out a satellite since the light stayed in place for a time. The sighting lasted about 30 minutes in total and was reported at 2:47 PM Pacific Time the same day. (National UFO Reporting Center, hhttps://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=194135.)

Nov 15 — England:
Earlier that evening of November 15, at 6:30 PM local time in Poole, England, a single witness observed a large, silent, translucent triangular object flying north to south directly overhead between Herbert Avenue and Ashley Road. The object measured an estimated 10 meters across, appeared at a 45° angle of elevation, and passed at a closest distance of about 50–100 meters. It moved quickly—around 100 mph—yet made no sound. The witness initially thought it might be a hang glider or weather balloons, but its speed and transparent outline suggested otherwise. The object had a faint aura or haze around it, was difficult to keep in sight, and disappeared from view after about 30 seconds. The sighting was reported later that day at 3:49 PM Pacific Time. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=194141.)

Nov 16 — England:
On the early morning of November 16, at 5:02 AM local time in Maltby, England, two witnesses observed between 20 and 35 dim, star-like lights moving across the sky directly overhead. The lights appeared faint white, resembling distant stars, and were seen at a 90° angle of elevation, above or within the cloud line. The objects arrived from different directions but all traveled the same way, sometimes in clusters and sometimes singly. The sighting lasted about 35 minutes, during which the lights continued to pass over the house. Roughly five minutes into the event, a plane or drone with flashing lights flew directly overhead multiple times—about seven passes—and remained in the area until the dim moving lights had disappeared. The incident was later reported at 12:13 AM Pacific Time the same day. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=194157.)

That evening of November 16 at 6:53 PM local time in Saint Ives, England, seven witnesses observed a massive luminous disc in the sky, estimated to be larger than a football field. The object appeared white and blue, with bright flashing lights and a glowing haze around it. For about 20 minutes, the disc spun rapidly, appearing and disappearing while moving in different directions. Observers noted smaller light dots circling around a bright central light. The disc was seen at roughly a 45° angle of elevation from the ground, moving very fast though its exact speed and distance could not be determined. The sighting was later reported at 3:00 PM Pacific Time the same day. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=194166.)

Nov 16 — Germany:
On the evening of 16 November witnesses in Saxony reported a loud bang followed by a smoking object seen to fall from the sky between the towns of Schöneck and Plauen. Local police in Zwickau then received the first call shortly after 4:18 PM and, despite searches using ground teams, fire departments, mountain rescue, a dog unit, drones, and helicopters, no wreckage was found. Meanwhile, local officials and rescuers described a range of possible explanations from a crashed hot‑air balloon to an exploded drone and noted that inquiries with Leipzig Airport, the German Weather Service (DWD), and the German Armed Forces produced no confirming information. This leaves the object’s origin unresolved and under investigation.

The UK Daily Star reported:

Smoking UFO falls out sky after huge bang as police search for mystery object

Story by Abigail Hunt

The unidentified flying object reportedly fell from the sky between Schöneck and Plauen© Getty Images

A smoking UFO was pictured plummeting from the sky after a huge bang was heard by witnesses. Police investigating say they have yet to find the mystery object.

Several witnesses called the police on Sunday evening after claiming to have seen a mysterious flying object that suddenly crashed. The unidentified flying object reportedly fell from the sky between Schöneck and Plauen, two towns located in Saxony, Germany.

Witnesses say there was a bang before the object started to smoke, reports Bild. Christina Friedrich, police spokeswoman in Zwickau, told the outlet: "We received the initial report at 4:30 p.m. A witness from Gunzen had seen a flying object crash at 4:18 p.m. There was also smoke and noise."

• Government to make major statement to nation in Parliament at 3.30pm as criticism grows

• Explosion in Wimbledon shopping centre underground car park as man rushed to hospital

Police investigating say they have yet to find the mystery object© Getty Images/iStockphoto

Police searched for the mysterious object on the ground as well as using drones and helicopters but found nothing. Several fire departments, the mountain rescue service and a dog unit were also involved in the search.

Witness Ronny Reißmann said: "We were out for a walk and watched the crash in the sky. It’s absolutely baffling what that was. I just quickly took this photo. Unfortunately, I was quite far away."

Police spokeswoman Friedrich said: "The flying object likely crashed in a wooded area."

It's not known if the search will continue on Monday but inquiries with Leipzig Airport, the German Weather Service (DWD), and the German Armed Forces have yielded no results, reports the Freie Presse.

Jens Leistner, managing director of the Southwest Saxony rescue service association, said: "The initial report stated that a hot air balloon, possibly with four occupants, had crashed.

"We deployed 32 personnel but couldn't find anything. There is a video of the phenomenon. However, we don't know exactly what it is."

Ingo Penzel, 58, the mayor of the 130-inhabitant village of Gunzen, added: "I don't believe that what came down was actually a UFO. I suspect it was more likely a drone that exploded. But we won't know for sure until something is found."

(Abigail Hunt, “Smoking UFO Falls Out Of Sky,” Daily Star, November 17, 2025, https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/breaking-smoking-ufo-falls-out-36261218.)

Nov 16 — Denmark:
Sunday evenings always seem busy with the mystery drones. On that evening Aalborg Airport in northern Denmark experienced a temporary shutdown due to suspected drone activity. The disruption began around 10:10 PM, when a duty officer reported “some form of activity” that prompted air traffic control to suspend operations. Naviair, Denmark’s air traffic management authority, confirmed that the closure was due to “suspicion of drone activity.”(Grand Pinnacle Tribune, “Drone Disruptions Hit Europe As Airports Scramble,” November 17, 2025. https://evrimagaci.org/gpt/drone-disruptions-hit-europe-as-airports-scramble-516697.)

As a result, all takeoffs and landings were halted for nearly two hours. A KLM flight arriving from Amsterdam was diverted to Billund Airport, underscoring the operational impact of the incident. Although no confirmed drone sightings have been publicly released, the Danish Transport Ministry and Naviair are reportedly investigating the event and reviewing relevant protocols.(Flight tracking data and airline statements regarding the KLM diversion to Billund Airport.)

This episode forms part of a broader pattern of drone incursions across European airspace in 2025, with similar disruptions reported in Norway, Sweden, and other countries. Analysts increasingly interpret these incidents as manifestations of “grey zone” tactics—covert operations that may include foreign intelligence probing, cyber interference, or psychological pressure campaigns. While some reports have raised suspicions of Russian involvement, no official attribution has been made.(Regional security analysts and European media commentary on drone incursions and grey zone tactics, November 2025.)

World News reports on 17 November:

Drone Disruptions Hit Europe As Airports Scramble

Aalborg Airport’s shutdown is the latest in a wave of mysterious drone incursions targeting critical infrastructure and exposing security gaps across Europe.

Key Points

• Suspend all flights at Aalborg Airport on November 16, 2025, due to suspected drone activity, causing nearly two hours of disruption.

• Report widespread drone incursions across Europe during 2025, leading to multiple airport closures and raising security concerns.

• Highlight suspicions of Russian involvement and broader 'grey zone' tactics including cyberattacks and intelligence gathering by drones.

Late on the evening of November 16, 2025, the hum of Aalborg Airport in northern Denmark was abruptly silenced. Air traffic control, acting on a “reasonable suspicion” of drone activity near the airport’s airspace, suspended all takeoffs and landings at around 10:10 PM. For nearly two hours, flights ground to a halt, both commercial and military, as authorities scrambled to assess the risk and protect passengers and crew. By 12:35 AM on November 17, with no further drone sightings reported, the shutdown was lifted and operations resumed. Yet, the incident left more than just a temporary disruption—it underscored a growing crisis facing Europe’s airports and critical infrastructure: the persistent, mysterious threat of drones.

The disruption at Aalborg was not an isolated event. Throughout 2025, a wave of unexplained drone sightings has swept across Europe, forcing temporary closures at major airports in cities like Copenhagen, Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Brussels, Liege, Oslo, and Gothenburg. According to reporting from multiple European outlets, these incidents have led to dozens of canceled flights, affecting thousands of travelers and raising urgent questions about the security of the continent’s airspace. Germany, for example, is now grappling with an average of three drone incursions every day.

What’s driving this surge in drone activity? The culprit remains officially unidentified, but suspicion has fallen heavily on Russia. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has publicly accused the Kremlin of trying to “sow division” through such disruptions—although she stopped short of blaming Moscow for every incident. Denmark’s prime minister has gone further, calling the campaign a form of “hybrid war.” The pattern is hard to ignore: the drones are unarmed, but their presence over airports, military sites, power plants, hospitals, and defense factories is both provocative and dangerous. Even a small drone could cause a fatal accident if it collided with a passenger plane.

The timing of some incidents has raised eyebrows among observers. In September 2025, for example, as Sweden prepared to announce the sale of 150 fighter jets to Ukraine, drones appeared over its largest naval base and the city of Malmö—right on the critical bridge shared with Copenhagen. In the same month, Copenhagen Airport was shut down after drone sightings, and four Russian-linked ships were detected near the Danish coast. One of these ships was later boarded by French soldiers, a detail that only deepened the intrigue. Meanwhile, Belgium has found itself a frequent target, with some officials suggesting a connection to European efforts to seize €140 billion in frozen Russian assets held in Belgium for use in supporting Ukraine’s defense.

The scope of the threat extends well beyond aviation. According to reports, these drone incursions are part of a broader wave of so-called “grey zone” attacks—covert actions that fall short of open warfare but aim to destabilize and intimidate. These have included acts of arson, the severing of undersea communications cables, and a 25% increase in cyberattacks on NATO member states over the past year. Officials believe that some drones may be gathering intelligence, exposing weaknesses in European air defenses and testing the continent’s readiness to respond.

The September 9, 2025, incident over Poland marked a notable escalation. During a Russian strike on Ukraine, two dozen Russian drones flew into Polish airspace, prompting NATO to scramble jets—a response that cost £60 million. The drones themselves, reportedly made of plywood and polystyrene and valued at just £7,500 each, proved difficult to intercept. Only a handful were confirmed to have been shot down, highlighting the asymmetry of the threat and the high cost of defending against it.

Back in Denmark, the November 16 shutdown at Aalborg Airport unfolded with a sense of tense routine. As reported by Paramita Sarkar, Naviair—the Danish air traffic control agency—acted swiftly, grounding flights after detecting possible drone activity. North Jutland Police confirmed that “one or more drones” had been seen near the airport, though they were not visually confirmed or intercepted. The shutdown, though brief, was a stark reminder of the risks drones pose to aviation safety and the difficulties authorities face in tracking and neutralizing such threats in real time.

“The incident highlights the growing threat of drones interfering with aviation safety and critical infrastructure security,” Sarkar noted. Aalborg Airport, a vital hub for both civilian and military air traffic in Denmark’s North Jutland region, was fortunate to avoid any accidents or significant delays. But the episode added to a list of similar incidents at Danish airports in 2025, including multiple shutdowns in September, fueling speculation that these could be coordinated “hybrid attacks” targeting critical infrastructure.

Authorities across Europe are responding with a mix of urgency and innovation. In Germany, officials have acknowledged the exposure of air defense weaknesses and the need for cost-effective countermeasures. One NATO state has signed an $84 million deal with an Australian firm to deploy a laser-based drone defense system, while Nordic Air Defence in Sweden is developing autonomous interceptor drones and handheld missile cannons. The most ambitious proposal is a continent-wide “drone wall”—a network designed to detect, jam, and destroy hostile aerial vehicles. While plans are still being finalized, European leaders hope to have the system operational by the end of 2027.

The Danish government and aviation authorities, meanwhile, are increasing efforts to implement stricter regulations and advanced monitoring technologies to keep drones out of sensitive airspace. Investigations into drone incidents, including the Aalborg shutdown, are ongoing, but as of now, no suspects have been identified. The challenge is compounded by the sheer variety of drones—ranging from harmless toys to sophisticated surveillance devices—and the difficulty in distinguishing between benign and malicious intent.

Not everyone is treating the situation with the same gravity. When asked in October 2025 why he was sending drones over Denmark, Russian President Vladimir Putin quipped, “I won’t do it anymore,” likening the allegations to UFO sightings. The remark, while flippant, did little to calm European nerves.

For now, airports worldwide are investing in new systems to detect, track, and mitigate drone intrusions, recognizing that the threat is only likely to grow as drone technology becomes more accessible and advanced. The temporary closure of Aalborg Airport stands as a vivid illustration of the challenges ahead, forcing governments and industry leaders alike to rethink how they protect the skies—and the people who depend on them.

With incidents piling up and solutions still years away, Europe’s aviation sector faces a test of resilience and ingenuity. Whether the answer lies in lasers, autonomous interceptors, or a high-tech “drone wall,” one thing is clear: the age of drone disruption has arrived, and the stakes could hardly be higher.

(https://evrimagaci.org/gpt/drone-disruptions-hit-europe-as-airports-scramble-516697.)

Nov 17 — Netherlands:
On the evening of November 17, several drones were spotted in the port area of Terneuzen, in the province of Zeeland, the Netherlands. “We’ve never seen so many drones before,” said Johan Bresseleers, spokesperson for North Sea Port (NSP). According to a police spokesperson, multiple members of the public reported the drones. “We check each report to see if we can locate the operator. If we can, we can stop them and determine their intentions,” she told ANP. The sightings occurred over the port complex and the Dow chemical plant—both designated no‑fly zones due to their importance to critical infrastructure. (NL Times, “Multiple Drones Spotted over Zeeland Port, Operators Remain Unknown,” NL Times, November 19, 2025, https://nltimes.nl/2025/11/19/multiple-drones-spotted-zeeland-port-operators-remain-unknown.)

Also on that day European defense officials publicly warned of readiness gaps while the United Kingdom deployed personnel and equipment to assist Belgium’s detection and counter‑drone effort, marking a shift from purely investigative responses to immediate allied assistance and capability‑sharing.

Authors’ Observation:
During the New Jersey sightings in November 2024 there were many reports in the media from individuals. However since Sept 22, 2025 although we have seen many official reports in the media about the European mystery drones, we seldom see individuals reporting seeing things. It seems a complete opposite from the American flap. Of course there have been some individual witness reports quoted in the press and posted on social media since Sept 22, but far fewer prominent, sustained civilian eyewitness narratives than you saw with the November 2024 New Jersey UAP wave. There may be some reasons for that:

• Timing and location: Most incidents have occurred at night over airports, military sites, ports, or other restricted areas where few ordinary bystanders are present.

• Official control of information: Media coverage has tended to rely on statements from airports, police, and national authorities rather than on civilian videos or long witness interviews.

• Rapid triage of tips: Authorities often treat witness tips as investigatory leads (not immediate public content), which reduces the number of widely published first‑person accounts.

• Noise and false positives: Large volumes of reports (e.g., tips of “lights” or “stars”) have produced many unverified leads; outlets and officials have been cautious about amplifying uncorroborated civilian sightings.

• Cultural and platform differences: European reporting and social‑media behaviour vary by country; local-language posts (Telegram, Facebook groups, X) often contain eyewitness material that hasn’t been translated or syndicated widely in international outlets.

• Editorial focus: International media emphasize operational impacts, national responses, and geopolitics, which crowds out human‑interest eyewitness storytelling.

Nov 18-20 — Europe:
Publicly available reporting did not note any mystery drone incursions over NATO-linked facilities in Europe, though authorities in Belgium maintained heightened alerts and intermittent airport suspensions amid ongoing nocturnal drone sightings and critical-infrastructure concerns carried over from earlier in the month. UK base overflights were widely discussed in prior weeks, but no official, time-stamped confirmations tied specifically to this 48-hour window were issued, and the clearest NATO-adjacent developments involved eastern flank air-defense posturing during concurrent cross-border strike activity on Ukraine, rather than newly verified penetrations of European airspace in that period.

Nov 20 — England:
On the evening of November 20, at 7:00 PM local time, a witness driving along Lea Cross Road near Shrewsbury, England reported seeing a silent, cigar‑shaped object about 30 feet long flying extremely low—around 40 feet above the ground and at one point just 10 feet from the car. The craft had no wings or landing gear, resembled a giant missile, and moved slowly at roughly 25 mph. It carried a blinding white light at the front and a red flashing light at the rear, yet made no sound. Initially mistaken for an airplane, the witness stopped and watched it pass directly overhead before disappearing beyond a hedge, leaving no lights or noise behind. The sighting lasted about 10 seconds and was formally reported the next morning on November 21, 2025 at 2:36 PM local time. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=194266.)

Nov 21 — Volkel Air Base, Netherlands
Dutch military personnel detected multiple unidentified drones flying over the restricted zone at Volkel Air Base. Ground forces opened fire, but the drones evaded interception and no debris was recovered. (NL Times, “Dutch military opens fire on unidentified drones over Volkel air base,” November 22, 2025.)

Nov 21–23 — Volkel Air Base, Netherlands:
Between 7:00–9:00 PM local time on multiple evenings, unidentified drones were again observed over Volkel Air Base. Dutch forces fired on the devices, but none were brought down. The Ministry of Defence confirmed the incidents while withholding operational details for security reasons. (DutchNews.nl, “Small Drones Spotted Over Volkel Airbase on Saturday Night,” November 23, 2025; LIGA.net, Artem Dzheripa, November 22, 2025; The Independent, “Dutch Military Opens Fire at Drones Over Air Base,” November 22, 2025.)

Nov 21 — UK — Investigation Completed:
The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed it completed its investigation into 187 drone sightings around RAF Lakenheath, Mildenhall, and Feltwell (from late 2024 into 2025). The findings remain classified, but the pattern is considered part of the same Europe‑wide phenomenon.

Ben Robinson’s report in the East Anglian Daily Times confirms that the UK Ministry of Defence has completed its investigation into the wave of mystery drone sightings over RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, and RAF Feltwell. The incidents began in November 2024, prompting military personnel to assist in the search for the unidentified aircraft. A police helicopter even mistakenly identified a U.S. fighter jet as a drone, according to the investigation.

A government spokesperson stated that the MoD Police have finalized their report but will not release details due to the sensitivity of security arrangements. The MoD emphasized its multi‑layered counter‑drone capabilities and noted ongoing investments, including £4 billion to expand drone capabilities and £1 billion to strengthen integrated air and missile defense.

The article also notes that 187 drone sightings have been reported around UK military facilities since January 1. Defence Secretary John Healey recently announced that armed forces personnel will be granted authority to shoot down drones. Local officials expressed support for the measure, citing the strategic importance of the bases. The piece also mentions speculation about Russian involvement, alongside similar drone activity across Europe.

(Ben Robinson, “Investigation into Drones at RAF Lakenheath Completed,” East Anglian Daily Times, November 21, 2025, https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/25641538.investigation-drones-raf-lakenheath-completed/.)

Nov 22–23 — Kleine‑Brogel Air Base, Belgium:
Late on November 22 and into the early hours of November 23, Belgian forces at Kleine‑Brogel Air Base reported multiple drone incursions. Around 11:00 PM Saturday, personnel attempted to disable one drone using electromagnetic jamming and drone‑guns. By approximately 1:30 AM Sunday, at least three separate incursions had been logged. The drones ultimately flew north toward the Dutch border and disappeared from radar. (The Independent, “Belgium’s Kleine Brogel Air Base Hit by Suspected Drone ‘Spying Operation,’” November 3, 2025; DW, “Belgium: Drone Sightings at Kleine Brogel Airbase,” November 2, 2025; Aviation24.be, André Orban, “New Drone Sightings Reported Over Belgium’s Kleine‑Brogel Air Base,” November 3, 2025.)

Nov 22–23 — Gibralter:
On Saturday and Sunday of the last weekend of November 2025 (specifically November 22–23), drones were sighted near the runway at Gibraltar International Airport, causing two consecutive days of flight disruptions. Commercial departures were delayed on both days, and on November 22, an RAF flight from Northolt (RRR1259) was forced to abort its landing and divert to Faro, Portugal, after circling repeatedly due to a drone in the vicinity of the runway. Authorities in Gibraltar and Spain launched parallel investigations, with Spain’s Guardia Civil Pegaso drone unit confirming involvement. Early assessments suggest the drones likely originated from the Spanish side of the border and may be linked to smuggling networks, a pattern consistent with earlier incidents throughout 2025. (Gibraltar Chronicle Staff, “Drones Disrupt Flights on Two Consecutive Days,” Gibraltar Chronicle, November 25, 2025, https://www.chronicle.gi/drones-disrupt-flights-on-two-consecutive-days/; and GBC News, “RAF Flight Diverted from Gibraltar Following Reported Drone Sighting,” GBC, November 22, 2025, https://www.gbc.gi/news/raf-flight-diverted-from-gibraltar-following-reported-drone-sighting.)

Nov 23 — Eindhoven Airport, Netherlands:
From 7:00–11:00 PM CET, unidentified drones prompted Eindhoven Airport to suspend operations. Nine flights were diverted, two were grounded, and passengers experienced significant delays. Military personnel fired at the drones but were unable to neutralize them. The shutdown marked one of the most disruptive civilian impacts associated with the broader wave of drone incursions. (Adept Traveler, Brandon J. Yaniz, November 24, 2025; Channel News Asia, “Drone Sightings Disrupt Traffic at Eindhoven Airport,” November 23, 2025; NL Times, “More Drones Spotted Over Volkel Air Base Just Hours After Eindhoven Airport Shutdown,” November 23, 2025.)

These late‑night and early‑morning hours marked the first direct military attempt to bring down the mystery drones. The failure of the jamming effort led to a new standing order to shoot down unidentified drones on sight. As an important note of reference, Kleine‑Brogel Air Base is one of Belgium’s most strategically important military installations, known for hosting US nuclear weapons under NATO’s nuclear‑sharing arrangements. (Another Mystery Drone Sighted over the Netherlands’ Volkel Air Base; Dutch Military Opens Fire at It,” Firstpost, November 23, 2025, https://www.firstpost.com/world/another-mystery-drone-sighted-over-the-netherlands-volkel-air-base-dutch-military-opens-fire-at-it-13953253.html.)

FP News Desk reports:

Another mystery drone sighted over the Netherlands' Volkel Air Base, Dutch military opens fire at it

FP News Desk • November 23, 2025, 13:44:15 IST

The Dutch military on Saturday opened fire on mystery drones flying over Volkel Air Base in the country’s east. However, the country’s Ministry of Defence noted that no wreckage was recovered from the site.

The Dutch military on Saturday opened fire on mystery drones flying over Volkel Air Base in the country’s east. However, the country’s Ministry of Defence noted that no wreckage was recovered from the site.

The statement noted that security staff at the base reported the drones flying over the base between 7 pm (local time) and 9 pm.

The detection prompted the air force to fire ground-based weapons “to take them down,” the ministry said in a statement. “The drones left the area and were not recovered,” the statement said.

The Netherlands and neighbouring Belgium had multiple unidentified drone sightings in recent weeks.

Both the Dutch military and civilian police have been investigating the incident, in which it was unclear why the drones were flying above and around the air base.

(FP News Desk, "Another mystery drone sighted over the Netherlands' Volkel Air Base, Dutch military opens fire at it," Firstpost, 23 Nov. 2025, https://www.firstpost.com/world/another-mystery-drone-sighted-over-the-netherlands-volkel-air-base-dutch-military-opens-fire-at-it-13953253.html.)

Nov 24 — Authors’ Observation:
A distinct pattern seems to be emerging. Many of the most disruptive mystery drone incursions in Europe have clustered around weekends and late‑night hours. Airports and bases often run lighter staffing at those times, making incursions harder to intercept quickly, while weekend flight schedules are heavy with leisure travel, so shutting down hubs like Brussels, Liège, or Aalborg maximizes public visibility and inconvenience. Military sites such as Kleine‑Brogel saw incursions late Saturday night into Sunday morning (Nov 22–23), echoing earlier weekend disruptions in Denmark (Nov 16) and Norway in late October. Reports consistently note drones appearing after 10 PM local time, with peak activity between 11 PM and 2 AM, suggesting deliberate choice to exploit darkness and reduced aerial traffic. The timing hints at coordinated surveillance or probing operations rather than random hobbyist flights, and Belgium’s order to shoot down drones on sight after the Nov 22–23 weekend reflects how seriously this trend is being taken.

Nov 24 — England:
On November 24, at 9:30 PM local time in Bromborough, England, a single observer reported seeing a large fiery light in the northwest sky that initially resembled a planet but appeared to change shape during the brief 60–90 second sighting. While watching this brighter object, the witness noticed a second phenomenon: a blue sphere with lights and a hazy aura, positioned to the upper left of the first light at about 35° elevation and roughly one mile away. The event was later reported on November 25 at 6:41 AM Pacific time, with the observer emphasizing the unusual size and shifting appearance of the objects. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=194361.)

Nov 28 — Northern Ireland:
An anomalous looking light in the sky completed a 360 maneuver and shot off. ((National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=194423.)

Nov 30 — England:
At 6:18 PM local time on November 30, a witness in Newcastle‑under‑Lyme observed a white, orb‑shaped light directly overhead at a high elevation. The object moved smoothly at first, leading the witness to assume it was a helicopter, but it soon began zig‑zagging and shifting direction in ways the witness felt a helicopter could not, especially since it produced no engine noise. The orb drifted erratically across the sky, briefly disappearing behind clouds before reappearing. While driving away, the witness saw it again and began recording as the object hovered motionless, then suddenly accelerated at high speed and vanished beyond the horizon. The sighting lasted several minutes, and although the witness could not estimate its size, distance, or speed, they noted that a drone was only a possible explanation. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=194469.)

Dec 1 — England:
At 6:15 PM local time on December 1, a witness in Adwick‑le‑Street, Doncaster observed a bright, oval‑shaped light moving slowly across the sky at an elevation of about 52 degrees. The object was completely silent and visible for roughly 13 seconds. Its size, distance, and speed could not be determined. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=194582.)

Dec 1 — Ireland: (The Ireland breach is unusually precise — suggesting deliberate targeting.)
On the night of December 1, four large, military‑spec drones breached a no‑fly zone over Dublin as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s aircraft approached the city. According to The Journal (as reported by CBS News), the drones flew directly toward the expected flight path of Zelenskyy’s plane at the exact moment it would have passed had it not landed slightly early. The drones then loitered over the Irish Naval Service vessel LÉ William Butler Yeats, which had been covertly deployed for the visit. Irish officials classified the event as a hybrid attack, and the Minister for Justice later described the activity as part of a “coordinated threat” to EU and Ukrainian interests. The Ireland breach is unusually precise — suggesting deliberate targeting. Investigations by An Garda Síochána’s Special Detective Unit and the Defence Forces remain ongoing. (Emmet Lyons, “Unidentified Drones Breached Ireland’s Airspace During Visit by Ukraine’s Zelenskyy,” CBS News, December 5, 2025, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ireland-russia-drone-ukraine-zelenskyy/; and Jackie Fox and Mícheál Lehane, “Senior Government Figures Briefed on Drone Presence During Zelensky Visit,” RTÉ News, December 4, 2025, https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2025/1204/1547331-drones-zelensky-visit/; and RTÉ News, “Drones During Zelensky Visit ‘Part of Coordinated Threat’ – Minister,” RTÉ News, December 8, 2025, https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2025/1208/1547852-drones-dublin/; and Jackie Fox and Tommy Meskill, “Investigation Into Drone Activity During Zelensky Arrival,” RTÉ News, December 5, 2025, https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2025/1205/1547445-drones-ireland-security/; and Gráinne Ní Aodha, “Drones During Zelensky’s Dublin Visit ‘Part of Coordinated Threat’,” The Independent, December 8, 2025, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/dublin-drones-zelensky-visit-police-b2880095.html; and Peter Aitken, “Zelensky’s Jet in Near‑Miss With Four Drones: Report,” Newsweek, December 4, 2025, https://www.newsweek.com/zelensky-jet-near-miss-drones-ireland-11157549.)

Dec 2 — Germany:
Germany formally activated its new federal police drone‑defense unit on December 2, inaugurating the force at a ceremony outside Berlin in response to a surge of mysterious drone incursions across Europe. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt described the formation as part of the federal police’s national special‑operations arm, trained specifically to detect, intercept, and, if necessary, shoot down hostile drones. The unit begins with roughly sixty officers and will expand to more than 130, supported by over €100 million in new counter‑drone technology investments, including sensors, jammers, and interceptor UAVs. The move follows hundreds of suspicious drone flyovers near German military sites, airports, ports, and critical infrastructure, many of which European officials have characterized as hybrid probing operations. (Chris Lunday, “Germany Launches New Counter‑Drone Police Unit,” Politico, December 2, 2025; and “Germany Launches Specialised Anti‑Drone Police Unit,” ANSA, December 2, 2025, and “Germany Puts Federal Police Drone Defense Unit into Service,” Yahoo News, December 2, 2025.)

Dec 4 — Holland:
At 12:00 PM local time on December 4, two witnesses in Dordrecht, South Holland observed a white, hazy, balloon‑like object in the southern sky. The object appeared to shift shape, move in fast circular or oval motions, and seemed to orbit or change position rapidly. It was described as possibly larger than an aircraft, with an aura or haze around it and occasional lights visible. The witnesses estimated it was at a distance of roughly 50 km, moving at about 500 km/h, and positioned at an elevation of about 31 degrees. A second similar object appeared later. The witnesses attempted to film the phenomenon but were unable to capture it clearly. The object remained visible for about an hour and was still present when the report was filed. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=194529.)

Dec 4 — France:
On December 4, reports began circulating that several unidentified drones had flown over the Île Longue naval base in Brittany, the secure home of France’s ballistic‑missile submarine fleet. Later reporting clarified that around 7:30 PM local time, French forces detected approximately five drones entering the restricted airspace, triggering an immediate counter‑UAS response. The French Navy stated that electronic jamming was deployed and denied the use of firearms, though multiple outlets citing defense sources reported that marine rifle units did fire anti‑drone shots, a detail that remains disputed. No drones were recovered, and investigators have not confirmed their origin, intent, or even whether all detected objects were definitively UAVs. French prosecutors emphasized that no evidence of foreign interference had been established and noted that alternative explanations were still under review. Because Île Longue is one of Europe’s most sensitive military installations, the incident drew significant attention and heightened concern about ongoing drone incursions targeting critical defense infrastructure. (“France Launches Investigation After Drone Incursion Over Île Longue Nuclear Submarine Base,” The Asia Live, December 6, 2025, above, https://theasialive.com/france-launches-investigation-after-drone-incursion-over-ile-longue-nuclear-submarine-base/2025/12/06/; and “Europe in a Tizzy as Killer Drones Target Key Nuclear Base,” Hindustan Times, December 6, 2025, above, https://www.hindustantimes.com/videos/europe-in-a-tizzy-as-killer-drones-target-key-nuclear-base-putins-final-warning-to-macron-101765051740079.html; and “Mysterious Drones Penetrate Airspace Above France’s Nuclear Sub Fleet—Marines Open Fire,” United24 Media, December 5, 2025, above, https://united24media.com/latest-news/mysterious-drones-penetrate-airspace-above-frances-nuclear-sub-fleet-marines-open-fire-14056; and “Drones Spotted at Nuclear Submarine Base in France, Military Uses Weapons,” Ukrainian News / Le Figaro, December 5, 2025, above, https://ukranews.com/en/news/1121115-drones-spotted-at-nuclear-submarine-base-in-france-military-uses-weapons-le-figaro; and “Security at French Nuclear Submarine Base Fires at Unidentified Drones,” AeroTime, December 5, 2025, above, https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/french-nuclear-submarine-base-fires-at; and “Security at French Nuclear Submarine Base Fires at Unidentified Drones,” AeroTime, December 5, 2025, above, https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/french-nuclear-submarine-base-fires-at-unidentified-drones; and Kai Greet, “Drone Incursion at French Navy Nuclear Submarine Base,” The Aviationist, December 5, 2025, above, https://theaviationist.com/2025/12/05/drones-spotted-french-submarine-base/.)

This is a good article on the incident from The Aviationist:

Drone Incursion at French Navy Nuclear Submarine Base

Published on: December 5, 2025 at 5:46 PMFollow Us On Google News

Kai Greet

Main image: Île Longue seen from Lanvéoc. (Image credit: Moreau.henri via Wikimedia Commons). Inset: French Triomphant class ballistic missile submarine. (Image credit: French Navy)

An investigation is underway after the Île Longue naval base, home to France’s four ballistic missile submarines, detected an incursion by small drones on Dec. 4, 2025.

French news organisations Le Monde and Agence France-Presse (AFP) have said an investigation has been launched by authorities following the incursion into highly restricted and sensitive airspace. Commander Guillaume Le Rasle of the French Navy told AFP that the sensitive infrastructure at the base “was not threatened”. Though he said it was too early to determine the origin of the drones, he believes the intent was to “alarm the public”.

The drones were detected around 7:30pm on Thursday, Dec. 4. Security forces at Île Longue engaged the drones using electronic counter-UAS (C-UAS) jamming technology – previous reports had suggested soldiers had possibly used firearms, but this was later denied. None are believed to have been successfully downed. Primary security at the base is performed by the maritime branch of the French National Gendarmerie.

Frederic Teillet, a French public prosecutor for the region of Brittany, told AFP that no link had yet been established tying the drones to foreign interference. He was unable to confirm the exact number or type of drones, though the first reports from the scene put the number detected at five. Additionally, investigations will consider whether the objects detected were in fact drones.

Île Longue, located in northwestern France – just across the water from the port of Brest – is a peninsula used in its entirety by the naval base of the same name. As the base was constructed, the peninsula actually grew in size by around 0.3 square kilometres using reclaimed land. It is the homeport for all four of France’s Triomphant class ballistic missile submarines (SSBN), which can each carry as many as 16 M51 submarine launched ballistic missiles (SLBM) armed with multiple thermonuclear warheads. Île Longue includes storage facilities for these missiles as well as the warheads they are designed to carry, making the peninsula a highly defendable self-contained fortress.

As at least one French SSBN is always maintained at sea with a war-ready load of missiles and warheads, the overflights by these drones did not pose a direct threat to the ongoing nuclear deterrent, however as we have seen in the Russia-Ukraine conflict even small drones with explosive charges can be used to devastating effect against fixed infrastructure or stationary vehicles. This has made protecting sensitive areas, like this naval base, from drone incursions more important than ever. It is impossible to know when these types of drones would stop acting as simply a nuisance and instead become a direct, deadly threat.

Drone Threat

Countries across Europe have reported an increasing number of detected incursions into sensitive or otherwise restricted airspace, like over airports, over the past year. Most notably, Polish airspace was breached by Russian drones in September, a number of which were shot down by fighter aircraft. After incursions over Copenhagen Airport, Aalborg Airport, and Billund Airport later in the same month, Danish authorities said they believed a ‘professional actor’ was to blame.

Members of 34 Squadron RAF Regiment, 2 Counter – Unmanned Aerial Systems (2 C-UAS) setting up C-UAS equipment in Belgium after a request by Belgian authorities for assistance in dealing with drone incursions. (Image credit: Cpl Adam Fletcher – RAF/Crown Copyright)

Last year, we reported extensively on reported sightings of unauthorised UAVs which were plaguing U.S. military sites in the UK. At the time, it was suggested that the harassment by drones could have been linked to a decision to allow long range missile strikes by Ukraine deep into Russian territory. F-15E Strike Eagles from RAF Lakenheath were launched, alongside a UK police helicopter and some Royal Air Force assets, in an attempt to surveil the suspected drones and direct security services on the ground towards possible operators.

Despite the huge response, over the following days even more U.S. military sites were reporting drone sightings and special airspace restrictions were soon introduced to forbid unauthorised UAV flights within certain radii of these installations. In October 2025, just shy of a year after these occurrences, Secretary of State for Defence John Healey announced that new powers would be introduced granting military forces in the UK to engage drones that threatened the security of restricted sites.

From the Sea?

Though not all reported drone incursions over Europe have been over coastal locations – in fact France itself has noted potential sightings over inland sites previously – the fact many have been near the sea, and, particularly, near to busy shipping routes, has raised the question whether civilian vessels may be being used as clandestine drone motherships.

French forces boarded the Boracay, a tanker travelling from St Petersburg, Russia, to Vadinar, India as it rounded the Brittany coast – near Île Longue – on Sept. 28 to investigate suspicions that it was involved in launching or otherwise operating the drones which breached the airspace of Danish airports just under a week earlier. Formerly known as the Pushpa, the ship has long been listed as part of Russia’s sanction-evading ‘shadow fleet’. No confirmation has been made by French authorities as to whether equipment that could be linked to drone operations was found on board the ship, though its captain is due to face a trial in a French court in February 2026 for failing to cooperate with authorities.

(David Cenciotti, “Drones Spotted over French Submarine Base at Île Longue,” The Aviationist, December 5, 2025, https://theaviationist.com/2025/12/05/drones-spotted-french-submarine-base/.)

Dec 6 — England:
At 5:30 AM local time on December 6, a witness in Totton, England observed a fast‑moving, diamond‑shaped object from their garden. The object appeared silver‑white, roughly 80 feet in size, and traveled due east before turning south, passing at an estimated distance of about 1,000 feet. It moved extremely quickly—lasting only 0.05 seconds—and the witness estimated its speed at around 2,000 mph. The object left a white trail that vanished instantly. It made no sound, unlike aircraft the witness had seen at air shows, and it appeared briefly through a gap in the clouds, making it unclear whether it was above or below the cloud layer. The report was filed the next day on December 7, 2025, at 11:49 AM Pacific Time. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=194606.)

Dec 7 — Greece:
At 4:00 AM local time on December 7, a witness in Peristeri, Athens observed two extremely bright flashes of light outside their window while inside their home on Galinis Street. The flashes appeared 2–3 meters above the ground, only about 8 meters away, and remained fixed in mid‑air. Each flash lasted roughly a second, with 2–3 seconds between them. One flash appeared green, the other red, and both were intensely bright—similar to colored lightning—but completely silent. Immediately afterward, the witness went outside and saw a white‑to‑light‑gray haze suspended in the exact spot where the flashes had appeared. The smoke slowly rose and dissipated without any smell, debris, or physical source. The event occurred on a quiet residential dead‑end street with clear visibility, no electrical equipment nearby, no power disturbances, and calm weather. The witness noted that the phenomenon did not resemble fireworks, electrical faults, drones, aircraft, meteors, or anything descending or rising; instead, the flashes appeared instantly at a fixed point in the air. NUFORC classified the case as a UAP‑L (Low‑Altitude Luminous) static event, characterized by silent, stationary colored flashes and unexplained mid‑air haze. The report was filed at 5:08 AM Pacific Time on the same day. (National UFO Reporting Center,https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=194602.)

Dec 11 — Germany:
German media reported on a leaked security document revealing an unprecedented 1,955 unidentified drone flights recorded across the country for 2025. Many of those appeared over Bundeswehr military sites, NATO training grounds, and critical infrastructure. The investigation, released on December 11, 2025, also linked clusters of sightings to the movements of several Russia‑associated vessels operating in the Baltic and North Seas. Around the same time, Munich Airport experienced repeated shutdowns due to drone sightings—part of a broader pattern of unexplained incursions that disrupted flights and affected thousands of passengers. Some of the drones were described as “military‑used,” prompting Germany to accelerate the purchase of new counter‑drone radars and jamming systems as authorities continue to investigate the origin and intent behind the incursions. The Insider presents a good report on the leaked document:

Germany records nearly 2,000 unidentified UAVs in its airspace, investigation connects sightings to Russia-linked ships

The Insider

11 December 2025 09:50

Photo: Vesselfinder

Nearly 2,000 unidentified drones have been spotted over Germany since the beginning of the year, according to security reports reviewed by Die Welt, BILD and Axel Springer Academy. In a joint investigation, the outlets say they identified a pattern linking many of the drone sightings to the movements of three Russia-linked vessels operating in the Baltic and North seas.

According to the data, German authorities documented 1,072 incidents involving 1,955 unknown drones. The drones most frequently flew over Bundeswehr military sites, NATO training grounds, and critical infrastructure objects. An analysis of shipping routes showed that a small number of vessels were seen in close proximity to drone activity at the same hours the sightings were logged.

One example involves the seven drones sighted on May 16 near the dry cargo ship Lauga, which sails under the Russian flag with an all-Russian crew. When the vessel later arrived in Belgium, authorities boarded and searched the ship, but found nothing. Before reaching German waters, Lauga had stopped in the Syrian port of Tartus, home to a Russian military base, and later in St. Petersburg at a terminal linked to the state nuclear corporation Rosatom.

The investigation, citing leaked documents, reported that Rosatom possesses drones with a flight range of up to 200 kilometers that are equipped with video and thermal-imaging cameras. Officially, they are used for monitoring operations in the Arctic.

Two other vessels under scrutiny, HAV Snapper and HAV Dolphin, are registered to a Norwegian company, but both have repeatedly undergone maintenance at the Pregolya shipyard in Russia's Kaliningrad, while HAV Dolphin’s crew consists entirely of Russians. Large clusters of drone sightings were recorded over Kiel Bay in the southwest Baltic — home to ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and other military facilities — at the same time these vessels were in the area.

Security agency reports cited by the investigation say it is unlikely the drones were launched by private individuals: “Certain circumstances indicate…a sophisticated operation requiring substantial financial and logistical resources.” In most cases, the operators of the drones could not be identified.

European intelligence officials told reporters they consider HAV Snapper and HAV Dolphin to be “vessels highly likely operating in Russia’s interests.” Germany’s interior ministry said there is “reason to believe foreign state actors were involved in some of the drone flights.”

Unidentified drones have also been repeatedly seen over military installations and critical infrastructure in other European countries, including Denmark, Norway, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

(“Germany Records Nearly 2,000 Unidentified UAVs in Its Airspace, Investigation Links Sightings to Russia‑Linked Ships,” *The Insider*, December 11, 2025, https://theins.press/en/news/287659.)

Dec 13 — Britain:
A witness in Bulkington, England observed an anomalous event at approximately 10:10 PM local time on December 13. While standing in a back garden facing southwest, the witness saw a single bright white light—about the apparent size of Venus—moving steadily right to left at roughly 20° above the horizon with no other stars visible. After one to two minutes, the object abruptly stopped and split into three pure white orbs arranged in an equilateral triangle. The formation then executed a 90‑degree course change, moving directly toward the witness, accelerating to an extraordinary speed as it passed overhead at several thousand feet before disappearing. The entire sighting lasted 2–3 minutes and involved one observer, with noted characteristics including lights on the object, sudden motion changes, and the emission of multiple objects. (National UFO Reporting Center,https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=194718.)

Dec 12 & 16 —Germany:
Social media has reports of drone formations over German military bases. The December 16 Stars and Stripes article was published on that date, but it refers only to sightings earlier in the month. We will continue to monitor.

Dec — Authors’ Observation:
Across Europe, both governments and the public increasingly interpret the mystery‑drone wave as part of Russia’s ongoing hybrid pressure campaign, even when the technical details of the drones don’t perfectly match known Russian systems. Officials frame the incursions as a deliberate probing of NATO defenses. The public—already conditioned by years of cyberattacks, disinformation, and the war in Ukraine—defaults to assuming Russian involvement. The emotional climate is one of vigilance and unease rather than curiosity. Europeans see these incidents not as anomalies but as strategic signals stoking a tense geopolitical landscape.

This stands in sharp contrast to the United States, where many approach the same sightings with a more speculative, UAP‑adjacent mindset. Geographically removed from the conflict and less accustomed to Russian hybrid operations on their doorstep, Americans often lean toward exotic explanations. Europe, by comparison, does not need them. It has a hostile actor with motive, history, and opportunity as a next‑door neighbor. Even so, a quiet tension persists beneath the surface: European officials suspect Russia, but they also recognize that the drones’ behavior and capabilities don’t fully align with Russia’s known toolkit. The result is a continent bracing for escalation while navigating an uncomfortable gap between suspicion and evidence.

That gap has become harder to ignore since September 22, when mystery drones disrupted more than twenty airports across over ten European countries, forcing flight suspensions and diversions that stranded tens of thousands of passengers. The incursions follow a recurring pattern: small drones first probe communications and radar, followed by larger, longer‑endurance craft that linger near aircraft, munitions depots, and runways. Many reports describe the drones flying precise grid‑like or “lawn‑mower” patterns over critical sites rather than moving randomly—a behavior also seen in the New Jersey incidents last year. NATO has taken notice. Belgium’s defense minister warned that the country is in an “interim phase between peace and war,” as the alliance accelerates surveillance efforts and deploys additional counter‑drone systems.

Russian platforms could plausibly explain some of these incursions. The Orlan‑10 UAV, with its 16‑hour endurance and electronic‑warfare capabilities, fits aspects of the sightings, as do systems like the Lancet loitering munition or the SuperCam reconnaissance drone. Yet Russia’s drone ecosystem extends far beyond its formal military catalog. Leaked German documents highlighted by The Insider reveal a long‑observed pattern in Russian statecraft: the use of nominally civilian agencies such as Rosatom, Roscosmos, and Rosgvardia as operational fronts for dual‑use technologies. The drones described in the leak, with ranges approaching 200 kilometers and equipped with video and thermal‑imaging systems, far exceed what is required for routine Arctic surveying or infrastructure monitoring. Their deployment patterns reportedly track with the movements of Russian naval vessels in the Baltic and North Seas, suggest a coordinated reconnaissance mission. This aligns with Russia’s established practice of embedding intelligence‑adjacent capabilities inside civilian bureaucracies, allowing advanced platforms to operate under the cover of scientific, industrial, or environmental missions while contributing to broader situational awareness and hybrid‑warfare objectives.

China, the world’s largest drone manufacturer, also enters the conversation. Its military and civilian UAVs could theoretically fit aspects of the sightings, but evidence points mainly to Chinese drones being exported to Russia for battlefield use, not clandestine flights over NATO territory. For now, Beijing’s role appears indirect, reinforcing Russia’s arsenal rather than conducting its own operations in European skies.

Even so, a stubborn anomaly remains. Most of the mystery drones are brightly lit, and none of the known Russian systems are reported to employ navigation lights or appear luminous under normal conditions. At high altitude, reflected sunlight might account for fleeting glows, but the consistency of reports raises deeper questions. Are these military‑grade systems, or improvised civilian platforms repurposed for psychological effect? The often reported anomalous red and green glows add another layer of uncertainty. If deliberate, they may mimic conventional aircraft lighting to confuse observers. If not, they may point to unconventional technologies. Which leads to the more provocative possibility. Are all incursions attributable to human adversaries, or could some represent non‑human intelligence UAPs? Officials continue to stress conventional explanations, but ambiguity itself functions as a weapon—forcing governments to react without proof and magnifying the risk of miscalculation.

Why can these so-called “mystery drones” not be tracked or intercepted?

Reference Notes:

Chronological Bibliography:

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UA News. “15 Unidentified Drones Violated the Airspace of a Belgian Military Base.” UA News, 3 October 2025. https://uanews.net/en/post/131424-15-unidentified-drones-violated-the-airspace-of-a-belgian-military-base.

VRT NWS. “Reports of Drone Activity in Düren and Elsenborn.” VRT NWS, 3–4 October 2025. https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/en/.

Bild. “Drohnen über München: Polizei spricht von militärischem Einsatz.” 4 October 2025. Accessed 6 October 2025. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/mystery-drones-are-causing-havoc-across-europe-here-s-what-we-know/ar-AA1NRNhE?ocid=BingNewsSerp.

The Independent. “Mystery Drones Are Causing Havoc across Europe. Here’s What We Know.” 4 October 2025. https://www.independent.co.uk/mystery-drones-causing-havoc-across-europe.

MSN. “Unidentified Drones Disrupt Oslo Airport Operations.” 6 October 2025. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/unidentified-drones-disrupt-oslo-airport-operations/ar-AA1NVXtu?ocid=BingNewsSerp.

Associated Press. “Mystery Drones Causing Havoc across European Airports as Closures and Delays Mount.” Yahoo News (AP), updated 6 October 2025. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/mystery-drones-causing-havoc-across-175908934.html.

RBC‑Ukraine International. “Kremlin Discussing a Plan to Attack NATO, Says EU Commissioner.” 6 October 2025. https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/kremlin-discussing-a-plan-to-attack-nato-1759776353.html.

Novinite. “Europe on Edge: Kremlin ‘Discussing’ Invasion of NATO Countries, Intelligence Reveals.” 6 October 2025. https://www.novinite.com/articles/234765/Europe+on+Edge%3A+Kremlin+%27Discussing%27+Invasion+of+NATO.

Yahoo News. “Russia’s Hybrid War Against NATO: Danish Intelligence Warns of Escalating Threats.” 6 October 2025. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/russia-hybrid-war-against-nato-202924765.html.

Ishveena Singh. “The Great Drone Delusion Sweeping Europe’s Airports.” DroneDJ, 6 October 2025. https://dronedj.com/the-great-drone-delusion-sweeping-europes-airports.

LB.ua. “Unknown Drones over Europe: the EU Exercises Caution.” 7 October 2025. https://en.lb.ua/news/2025/10/07/36918_unknown_drones_over_europe_eu.html.

Politico Europe. “Belgium Defense Manufacturer Reports Suspicious Drone Activity over Facilities.” 8 October 2025. https://www.politico.eu/article/belgium-defense-manufacturer-drone-sightings-thales/.

The Kyiv Independent. “Belgium-Based Arms Maker Reports Mounting Cases of Suspicious Drone Sightings.” 8 October 2025. https://kyivindependent.com/belgium-based-arms-maker-reports-mounting-cases-of-suspicious-drone-sightings/.

MSN. “Belgium-Based Arms Maker Reports Mounting Cases of Suspicious Drone Sightings.” 8 October 2025. https://www.msn.com/en-us/technology/general/belgium-based-arms-maker-reports-mounting-cases-of-suspicious-drone-sightings/ar-AA1O5aum.

Zdeňka Sobarňa Košvancová. Press briefing, Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic, Prague, 8 October 2025. https://www.mo.gov.cz/en/.

Magdalena Dvořáková. Press conference, Czech Army Headquarters, Prague, 10 October 2025. https://acr.mo.gov.cz/struktura/generalni-stab/kancelar-nacelnika/oddeleni-komunikace-s-verejnosti--generalni-stab-acr-40155/.

Civil Aviation Authority of the Czech Republic. NOTAM database query, 11–12 October 2025. https://www.caa.gov.cz/en/.

Institute for the Study of War. “Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 11, 2025.” KyivPost, 12 October 2025. https://www.kyivpost.com/post/61915.

Amelia Neath. “Flights Diverted after Drone Flies Too Close to Popular European Holiday Airport.” NZ.News.Yahoo.com, 16 October 2025. https://nz.news.yahoo.com/flights-diverted-drone-flies-too-100355160.html.

Amelia Neath. “Flights Diverted after Drone Flies Too Close to Popular European Holiday Airport.” The Independent, 28 October 2025. https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/fuerteventura-airport-drone-flights-diverted-canary-islands-b2846482.html.

Biget, Sylvain, and the Futura Team. “Unidentified drones are flying over Europe: why aren’t they being shot down?” Futura-Sciences, 12 October 2025. Accessed 19 October 2025. https://www.futura-sciences.com/en/unidentified-drones-are-flying-over-europe-why-arent-they-being-shot-down_20667/.

Australian Broadcasting Corporation. “Shadow Drone War: Unpacking the Wave of Unexplained Incursions in Europe.” ABC News, 15 October 2025. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-15/russias-shadow-drone-war-against-europe-nato-explained/105867182.

CNN. “Shipping Routes and Flight Data: CNN Investigates Drone Sightings in Europe.” CNN World (video investigation), 15 October 2025. https://edition.cnn.com/2025/10/15/world/video/drones-europe-russia-investigation-polglase-ldn-digvid.

Ministry of Defence (UK). “Government Introduces Legal Framework for Intercepting Unidentified Drones over Military Installations.” Press release, 20 October 2025. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-introduces-legal-framework-for-intercepting-unidentified-drones-over-military-installations.

NATO Press Service. “NATO Increases Radar and Jammer Capabilities to Counter Drone Threats.” Press release, October 2025. https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_238400.htm.

The Independent. “Incoming Flights Halted at Palma Airport over Drone Sighting.” The Independent, 20 October 2025. https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/palma-airport-drone-sighting-flights-mallorca-spain-b2848353.html.

PalmaAirport.info. “Drone Incident Causes Temporary Disruption at Palma Airport.” PalmaAirport.info, 20 October 2025. https://www.palmaairport.info/2025/10/20/drone-incident-causes-temporary-disruption-at-palma-airport/.

Majorca Daily Bulletin. “Drone Causes Flight Delays at Palma Airport.” Majorca Daily Bulletin, 19 October 2025. https://www.majorcadailybulletin.com/holiday/airport/2025/10/19/137407/drone-causes-flight-delays-palma-airport.html.

Evrim Açağı. “Drone sightings disrupt major European airports days apart.” Evrim Açağı, 20 October 2025. https://evrimagaci.org/gpt/drone-sightings-disrupt-major-european-airports-days-apart-511759.

Aena. “Home page Palma de Mallorca Airport Aena.” Aena. Accessed October 21, 2025. https://www.aena.es/en/palma-de-mallorca.html.

Ministerio del Interior (Spain). “La Policía Nacional detecta y neutraliza dos drones que volaban en las inmediaciones del círculo de seguridad de la Copa del Rey de Vela.” Ministerio del Interior, 2 August 2022. https://www.interior.gob.es/opencms/es/detalle/articulo/La-Policia-Nacional-detecta-y-neutraliza-dos-drones-que-volaban-en-las-inmediaciones-del-circulo-de-seguridad-de-la-Copa-del-Rey-de-Vela/.

National UFO Reporting Center. “Report 193390.” NUFORC. https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=193390. Oct 17, 2025 — Estonian incident and related items

John Vandiver. “Drone Shot Down near Estonian Base with Connection to American Troops.” Stars and Stripes, 29 October 2025. https://www.stripes.com/theaters/europe/2025-10-29/estonia-drone-shotdown-19584290.html.

“Allied Forces Shoot Down Unidentified Drone near Southern Estonia Military Base.” Yahoo News, 28 October 2025. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/allied-forces-shoot-down-unidentified-165028850.html.

Associated Press. “Lithuanian President Says Russian Military Planes Violated the Baltic Country’s Airspace.” The Hill, 24 October 2025. https://thehill.com/policy/international/lithuania-russia-airspace-european-union-nato/.

“Lithuania Slams Airspace Breach after Two Russian Jets Enter Its Territory.” France 24, 24 October 2025. https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20251024-lithuania-airspace-russian-jets-territory.

Clément Charpentreau. “Russian Jets Violate Lithuanian Airspace, MoD Reports.” AeroTime, 23 October 2025. https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/russian-aircraft-breach-lithuania-airspace.

United Kingdom Ministry of Defence. “Statement on UAV Incidents and Revised Engagement Rules.” UK MoD, 21 October 2025.

Polish Armed Forces. “Report: Unidentified Aerial Vehicles Observed near Białystok.” Polish Armed Forces press release, 22 October 2025.

Romanian Ministry of Defence. “Recovery of Drone Debris in Tulcea County.” Romanian Defence Ministry statement, 23 October 2025.

Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority / Police. “Temporary Closure of Bergen Airport Following Drone Sightings.” Norwegian CAA / Bergen Police release, 24 October 2025.

French Ministry of Armed Forces. “Intercept: Air Force Scrambles Jets over Cherbourg Naval Base Drone Incursion.” French Ministry of Armed Forces communiqué, 25 October 2025.

RTÉ News. RTÉ Staff. “Strange Light in Irish Skies Likely SpaceX Rocket Debris.” RTÉ News, 30 October 2025. https://www.rte.ie/news/2025/1030/1541336-mystery-lights/.

Downes, Philip. “Mystery Surrounding ‘UFO’ Spotted over Irish Skies Solved.” Extra.ie, 30 October 2025. https://extra.ie/2025/10/30/news/ufo-sighting-ireland.

ABC News. “A Drone Sighting Closes a Popular Spanish Airport for 2 Hours.” 28 October 2025. https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/drone-sighting-closes-popular-spanish-airport-2-hours-126930051.

The Leader. Staff Reporter. “Alicante‑Elche Airport Reopens After Drone Sighting Forces Two‑Hour Shutdown.” The Leader, 28 October 2025. https://theleader.info/2025/10/28/alicante-elche-airport-reopens-after-drone-sighting-forces-two-hour-shutdown/.

Belgian Defence / Local Authorities. “Investigation Opens after Unidentified Drones Observed over Marche‑en‑Famenne.” Belgian Defence statement, 26–28 October 2025.

Axe, David. “Unidentified Drones Flew Over U.S. Military Bases for 17 Nights in a Row.” Newsweek. October 30, 2025. https://www.newsweek.com/unidentified-drones-flew-over-us-military-bases-17-nights-row-1830592.

Cole, Brendan. “Belgium Says Drone Attack Targeted NATO Nuclear Base.” Newsweek. November 2, 2025. https://www.newsweek.com/belgium-drone-attack-nato-nuclear-base-1830846.

Grand Pinnacle Tribune. “Drone Chaos: German Airports Paralyzed, Belgian Base Breached.” Grand Pinnacle Tribune, November 3, 2025. https://www.grandpinnacletribune.com/articles/drone-chaos-europe-nov-2025.

DNYUZ. “Drones Disrupt European Airspace and Military Sites.” DNYUZ, November 3, 2025. https://www.dnyuz.com/2025/11/03/drones-disrupt-european-airspace-and-military-sites/.

CBS News. “Drones Seen Near Air Base Storing U.S. Nuclear Weapons Resemble ‘Spy Operation,’ Belgium’s Defense Minister Says.” CBS News, November 3, 2025. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/drones-near-belgium-air-base-storing-us-nuclear-weapons-spy-operation/.

Fox News. “Belgium Suspects Drones Flying over Base Reported to Host U.S. Nuclear Weapons Were ‘Spying.’” Fox News, November 3, 2025. https://www.foxnews.com/world/belgium-suspects-drones-flying-over-base-reported-host-us-nuclear-weapons-were-spying.

Yahoo News. “Belgium Suspects ‘Spy Operation’ in Drone Flight near Nuclear Air Base.” Yahoo News, November 3, 2025. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/belgium-suspects-spy-operation-drone-154653213.html.Politico Europe. “Belgium

Says Suspicious Drones ‘Come to Spy’ on Fighter Jets, Ammunition.” Politico, November 2, 2025. https://www.politico.eu/article/belgium-says-suspicious-drones-come-spy-fighter-jets-ammunition/.

Alex. “Brussels airport shut down after mystery UFO ‘drone’ incursions.” Citizen Watch Report. November 5, 2025. https://citizenwatchreport.com/brussels-airport-shut-down-after-mystery-ufo-drone-incursions/.

France24. “Belgium probes drone sightings after flights halted overnight.” November 6, 2025. https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20251106-belgium-probes-drone-sightings-after-flights-halted-overnight.

Euronews. “Latest drone sightings force flight cancellations at Belgium’s main airport.” November 5, 2025. https://www.euronews.com/2025/11/05/latest-drone-sightings-force-flight-cancellations-at-belgiums-main-airport.

Gosselin‑Malo, Elisabeth. "Belgium Suspects 'Spy Operation' in Drone Flight Near Nuclear Air Base." Defense News, November 3, 2025. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2025/11/03/belgium-suspects-spy-operation-in-drone-flight-near-nuclear-air-base/.

Al Jazeera Staff and News Agencies. “Belgium’s Liège Airport Temporarily Halts Flights after New Drone Sighting.” Al Jazeera. November 7, 2025. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/11/7/belgiums-liege-airport-temporarily-halts-flights-after-new-drone-sighting.

Parodi, Alessandro, and Benoit Van Overstraeten. “Belgium’s Liège Airport Temporarily Halted Again Due to Drone Sighting.” Daily Maverick. November 7, 2025. https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-11-07-belgiums-liege-airport-temporarily-halted-again-due-to-drone-sighting/.

Yaniz, Brandon J. “Belgium Probes Drone Incursions after Airport Disruptions.” Adept Travel News. November 7, 2025. https://adept.travel/news/2025-11-07-belgium-drone-incursions-airports.

Politico Europe. “Belgium Suspends Flights after Mystery Drones Reported over Brussels, Liège, and Antwerp.” November 8, 2025. https://www.politico.eu/article/belgium-airports-flights-suspended-mystery-drones.

Reuters. “Unidentified Drones Sighted near Kleine-Brogel Air Base, Raising NATO Security Concerns.” November 7, 2025. https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2025-11-05/factbox-russias-suspected-hybrid-war-puts-european-air-defences-to-the-test.

Strange Sounds. “List of Drone Incursions in Europe (Sept–Nov 2025).” November 8, 2025. https://strangesounds.org/2025/11/drone-incursions-europe-list-sept-nov-2025.html.

The Local Sweden. “Drone Activity Disrupts Flights at Gothenburg Landvetter Airport.” November 8, 2025. https://www.thelocal.se.

Reuters. “Drones Spotted over Doel Nuclear Power Plant, Belgian Authorities Confirm.” November 9, 2025. https://www.reuters.com.

Politico Europe. “Belgium Confirms Multiple Drone Sightings over Doel Nuclear Facility.” November 10, 2025. https://www.politico.eu.

International Institute for Strategic Studies. The Military Balance 2024. London: Routledge, 2024.

“China’s Expanding Drone Industry and Military Exports.” Defense News. October 2024.

NATO. “Operation Eastern Sentry: Allied Air Defense Measures.” Press Release, October 2024.

Regional press reports, Scandinavia, UK, and US (September–November 2024).

London News Network. “UK Military Help Belgium Combat Suspected Russian Drone Flights.” November 9, 2025. https://londonnewsnetwork.com/2025/11/09/uk-military-help-belgium-combat-suspected-russian-drone-flights/.

Associated Press. “UK Sends Military Experts and Equipment to Belgium after Drone Sightings near Airports.” WTOP News, November 9, 2025. https://wtop.com/world/2025/11/uk-sends-military-experts-and-equipment-to-belgium-after-drone-sightings-near-airports/.

CBS News. “U.K. Sends Anti-Drone Troops to Belgium as Airports Shut Down amid Warnings of Russian ‘Hybrid Warfare.’” November 10, 2025. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/drones-europe-nato-airports-russia-hybrid-warfare-belgium-uk-anti-drone-troops/.

Yahoo News. “British Troops to Protect Belgian Airports from Drones.” November 9, 2025. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/british-troops-protect-belgian-airports-131640082.html.

Yahoo News Singapore. “Suspicious Drone Activity in Belgium, UK Will Send Special Team to Support Brussels.” November 9, 2025. https://sg.news.yahoo.com/suspicious-drone-activity-belgium-uk-204510564.html.

Clapson, Colin. “Drones Spotted Above Doel Nuclear Power Plant: ‘No Nuclear Danger.’” VRT NWS, November 10, 2025. https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/en/2025/11/10/drones-spotted-above-doel-nuclear-power-plant-no-nuclear-danger/.

Giordano, Elena. “Belgium Flounders as 5 Drones Buzz Nuclear Power Plant.” Politico, November 10, 2025. https://www.politico.eu/article/drones-spotted-belgium-nuclear-plant-doel-airspace-incursions/.Zoria, Yuri. “Five Unidentified Drones Flew over Belgium’s Doel Nuclear Plant.” Euromaidan Press, November 10, 2025. https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/11/10/five-unidentified-drones-flew-over-belgiums-doel-nuclear-plant/.

Naviair. Statement regarding temporary closure of Aalborg Airport due to suspected drone activity. November 16, 2025.KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. Flight operations update: Diversion of KL flight from Amsterdam to Billund. November 16, 2025.

European Security Watch. “Grey Zone Tactics and Drone Incursions: November 2025 Roundup.” ESW Briefing, November 17, 2025.Hunt, Abigail. “Smoking UFO Falls Out Of Sky.” Daily Star, November 17, 2025. https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/breaking-smoking-ufo-falls-out-36261218.

Asharq Al‑Awsat. “Unexplained Drone Flights Fray Nerves in Belgium.” Asharq Al‑Awsat, November 13, 2025. https://english.aawsat.com/world/5208282-unexplained-drone-flights-fray-nerves-belgium.

Orban, André. “New Drone Sightings Reported over Belgium’s Kleine‑Brogel Air Base.” Aviation24.be, November 3, 2025. https://www.aviation24.be/military-bases/kleine-brogel-air-base/new-drone-sightings-reported-over-belgiums-kleine-brogel-air-base/.

Eastman, Leslie. “Security Concerns Mount After Drones Fly Above U.S. Nuclear Weapons Storage Site in Belgium.” Legal Insurrection, November 23, 2025. https://legalinsurrection.com/2025/11/security-concerns-mount-after-drones-fly-above-u-s-nuclear-weapons-storage-site-in-belgium/.

FP News Desk. “Another Mystery Drone Sighted over the Netherlands' Volkel Air Base, Dutch Military Opens Fire at It.” Firstpost, November 23, 2025. https://www.firstpost.com/world/another-mystery-drone-sighted-over-the-netherlands-volkel-air-base-dutch-military-opens-fire-at-it-13953253.html.

NL Times. “Dutch Military Opens Fire on Unidentified Drones over Volkel Air Base.”
NL Times, November 22, 2025. https://nltimes.nl/2025/11/22/dutch-military-opens-fire-unidentified-drones-volkel-air-base.

Firstpost. “Another Mystery Drone Sighted over the Netherlands’ Volkel Air Base; Dutch Military Opens Fire at It.” November 23, 2025. https://www.firstpost.com/world/another-mystery-drone-sighted-over-the-netherlands-volkel-air-base-dutch-military-opens-fire-at-it-13953253.html.

Gibraltar Chronicle Staff, “Drones Disrupt Flights on Two Consecutive Days,” Gibraltar Chronicle, November 25, 2025, https://www.chronicle.gi/drones-disrupt-flights-on-two-consecutive-days/.

GBC News, “RAF Flight Diverted from Gibraltar Following Reported Drone Sighting,” GBC, November 22, 2025, https://www.gbc.gi/news/raf-flight-diverted-from-gibraltar-following-reported-drone-sighting.

Gibraltar Chronicle Staff. “Drones Disrupt Flights on Two Consecutive Days.” Gibraltar Chronicle, November 25, 2025. https://www.chronicle.gi/drones-disrupt-flights-on-two-consecutive-days/.

GBC News. “RAF Flight Diverted from Gibraltar Following Reported Drone Sighting.” GBC, November 22, 2025.
https://www.gbc.gi/news/raf-flight-diverted-from-gibraltar-following-reported-drone-sighting.

Robinson, Ben. “Investigation into Drones at RAF Lakenheath Completed.” East Anglian Daily Times, November 21, 2025. https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/25641538.investigation-drones-raf-lakenheath-completed/.

ANSA. “Germany Launches Specialised Anti‑Drone Police Unit.” ANSA, December 2, 2025.

Lunday, Chris. “Germany Launches New Counter‑Drone Police Unit.” Politico, December 2, 2025.

Yahoo News. “Germany Puts Federal Police Drone Defense Unit into Service.” Yahoo News, December 2, 2025.

CBS News. Lyons, Emmet. “Unidentified Drones Breached Ireland’s Airspace During Visit by Ukraine’s Zelenskyy.” December 5, 2025. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ireland-russia-drone-ukraine-zelenskyy/.

RTÉ News. Fox, Jackie, and Mícheál Lehane. “Senior Government Figures Briefed on Drone Presence During Zelensky Visit.” December 4, 2025. https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2025/1204/1547331-drones-zelensky-visit/.

RTÉ News. “Drones During Zelensky Visit ‘Part of Coordinated Threat’ – Minister.” December 8, 2025. https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2025/1208/1547852-drones-dublin/.

RTÉ News. Fox, Jackie, and Tommy Meskill. “Investigation Into Drone Activity During Zelensky Arrival.” December 5, 2025. https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2025/1205/1547445-drones-ireland-security/.

The Independent. Ní Aodha, Gráinne. “Drones During Zelensky’s Dublin Visit ‘Part of Coordinated Threat’.” December 8, 2025. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/dublin-drones-zelensky-visit-police-b2880095.html.

Newsweek. Aitken, Peter. “Zelensky’s Jet in Near‑Miss With Four Drones: Report.” December 4, 2025. https://www.newsweek.com/zelensky-jet-near-miss-drones-ireland-11157549.

“Germany Records Nearly 2,000 Unidentified UAVs in Its Airspace, Investigation Links Sightings to Russia‑Linked Ships.” *The Insider*. December 11, 2025. https://theins.press/en/news/287659.

Updated Abbreviated Chronology (Major European Drone & Anomalous Light Incidents since Sept 22)

• Sept 22 — Copenhagen and Oslo: Unidentified drones disrupted flights at Copenhagen; sightings near Oslo prompted airport checks.

• Sept 22 — UK (Aylesbury & Builth Wells): Massive white orb with erratic movements (Aylesbury); huge black triangular craft moving south‑north (Builth Wells).

• Sept 23 — Radcliffe on Trent, England: Golden dome‑like object with trailing sphere filmed for ~7 minutes at bus stop.

• Sept 23–24 — Northern Denmark cluster: Multiple large fixed‑wing drones forced Aalborg Airport closure (~3 hours) with simultaneous overflights at Esbjerg, Sønderborg, Skrydstrup, and Holstebro.

• Sept 24–25 — Denmark follow‑ups: Continued reports led governments to characterize incidents as a coordinated hybrid campaign; NATO consultations considered.

• Sept 26 — Lahore, Pakistan (note: outside Europe): Large silent V‑shaped craft with five steady lights observed during citywide blackout.

• Sept 26 — Ariceștii Rahtivani, Romania: Blue oval light ~10 m in size, rapid westward movement, brief missing‑time impression.

• Sept 27–28 — Regional surge: Sightings near Karup and Silkeborg; activity around Ørland Air Base; drone fragment found in Luitemaa (Pärnu); suspicious flights in Schleswig‑Holstein; anti‑drone drills in Hamburg.

• Sept 28 — Corralejo, Canary Islands (Spain): Enormous dark cross‑shaped craft with orb structures at each point, silent at high altitude.

• Sept 28 — Hemel Hempstead, England: Shiny silver disc hovering briefly before vanishing instantly.

• Sept 29 — Plaxtol, England: 12 white streaks moving in different directions plus three bright orbs; overwhelming display.

• Sept 29 — Baltic response: NATO deployed naval assets to the Baltic after incursions; heightened maritime vigilance reported.

• Late Sept — Canary Islands: Drone‑related cancellations and diversions at airport.

• Oct 1–2 — Multi‑site renewals: Renewed sightings across Denmark (Copenhagen, Aalborg), Norway, Spain (Fuerteventura), Romania (Bucharest diversion), and suspicious activity in Germany.

• Oct 2–3 — Munich & Elsenborn surge: Munich Airport suspended operations (~3,000 passengers stranded); Belgian reports of ~15 drones over Elsenborn training area; suspicious North Sea cargo vessel investigated.

• Oct 3–4 — Munich repeat & Prague alert: Overnight disruption at Munich; Václav Havel Airport investigated anonymous drone threat.

• Oct 4–5 — Major Munich closure: Munich closed again after simultaneous drone sightings over both runways (~23:00), mass cancellations/diversions.

• Oct 5–6 — Oslo approach sighting: Pilot report of 3–5 drones near Oslo Airport prompted delays and checks.

• Oct 6–7 — Munich & Oslo recurrence: Additional overnight disruption at Munich; police reports of 3–5 drones near Oslo around midnight.

• Oct 7 — Bavaria policy response: Bavarian authorities authorized police to shoot down drones amid ongoing sightings.

• Oct 7 — Ibos, France: Large triangular craft with lights at corners passed overhead silently.

• Oct 7 — Wyberton, England: Bright green orb emerged from cloud flash, rapid transit across sky.

• Oct 7 — Weesp, Netherlands: Two crimson red orb‑like objects shifted colors/patterns, silent, filmed for ~2 minutes.

• Oct 7 — Georgioupoli, Greece: Blue disc with glowing stripe, extreme speed, erratic flight paths above clouds.

• Oct 8–9 — Thales Belgium incidents: Repeated drone overflights at secure facilities including Évegnée Fort, raising reconnaissance concerns.

• Oct 9 — Ås, Norway: Pearlescent cone‑shaped object tracked among stars, followed by bright flashes.

• Oct 9 — Grays, England: Formation of 20+ bright lights descending; identified as Starlink satellites.

• Oct 12–13 — Sweden coast lights: Anomalous lights reported off Sweden’s coast.

• Oct 14 (morning) — Fuerteventura Airport: Drone sighting over Canary Islands airport.

• Oct 15 — Johannisberg, Sweden: Large grey saucer with glowing rectangular lights hovered then sped away.

• Oct 15 — Fairfields, England: Two disc‑shaped objects with visual distortion ahead, moving steadily before fading into clouds.

• Oct 17 — Estonia & Portugal: Two unidentified drones near Camp Reedo, Estonia; zigzagging bright light over Faro, Portugal.

• Oct 17 — Göteborg, Sweden: Grey cylindrical craft with blinking lights and faint haze photographed near tram station.

• Oct 19 — Palma de Mallorca Airport: Operations suspended after multiple pilot/staff drone reports near runways.

• Oct 21–25 — Fresh coordinated incursions:

• Oct 21 (UK): MoD “shoot‑down” rules announced; drones over RAF Waddington and Coningsby.

• Oct 22 (Poland/Lithuania): Two drones near Białystok; one entered Lithuanian airspace.

• Oct 23 (Romania): Drone debris recovered in Tulcea County near Danube Delta.

• Oct 24 (Norway): Bergen Airport closed after three drones near runway.

• Oct 25 (France): French jets scrambled after drones near Cherbourg Naval Base.

• Oct 26 — Strategic response: Ministers endorsed continent‑wide detection/interception “drone wall.”

• Oct 26–28 — Marche‑en‑Famenne, Belgium: Multiple unidentified drones observed over military base.

• Oct 27 — Zadar, Croatia: Triangular craft with three lights and humming sound reported.

• Oct 28 — Alicante‑Elche, Spain: Airport closed ~2 hours after drone sighting; flights diverted.

• Oct 28 — Canary Islands follow‑up: Additional Fuerteventura drone report.

• Oct 29 — Ireland anomalous light: Bright luminous object linked to SpaceX Falcon 9 launch plume.

• Nov 1–2 — Belgium: Drone incursions at base believed to host US nuclear weapons.

• Nov 2–3 — Belgium/Germany: Renewed incursions at Belgian base and Bremen Airport.

• Nov 4 — Belgium: Airport shutdowns and diversions.

• Nov 5 — Belgium: Overnight suspensions at Brussels and Liège Airports.

• Nov 6–7 — Belgium: New sightings disrupted Liège Airport.

• Nov 7–8 — Belgium: Most significant mystery drone activity reported.

• Nov 8–9 — Sweden: Drone activity disrupted Sweden’s main airport.

• Nov 9 — Belgium: Drones over Doel nuclear power station.

• Nov 9 — England: Two separate anomalous light reports.

• Nov 9 — Russia (Kaliningrad): Unknown drone spotted.

• Nov 10 — England (Morpeth): Orbs sighted (NUFORC).

• Nov 11–14 — Europe: Belgian prosecutors confirmed at least 17 unexplained drone incidents; Denmark/UK saw isolated reports.

• Nov 15 — Scotland (Dunoon): Bright white light stationary above River Clyde, then faded.

• Nov 15 — England (Poole): Silent translucent triangular craft overhead at ~100 mph.

• Nov 16 (morning) — England (Maltby): 20–35 dim star‑like lights overhead for ~35 minutes, vanished after circling plane/drone.

• Nov 16 (evening) — England (Saint Ives): Massive luminous disc larger than football field, flashing lights, circling dots, rapid movements.

• Nov 16 — Germany (Saxony): Loud bang and smoking object fell near Schöneck/Plauen; no wreckage found.

• Nov 16 — Denmark (Aalborg): Drone incursion disrupted airport operations.

• Nov 16 — Germany (Saxony): Loud bang and smoking object reported falling between Schöneck and Plauen; no wreckage found.

• Nov 16 — Denmark (Aalborg): Drone incursion disrupted airport operations.

• Nov 17 — Netherlands (Terneuzen, Zeeland), multiple drones were spotted over the port area of Terneuzen and the Dow chemic al plant—both designated no‑fly zones due to their importance to critical infrastructure. North Sea Port officials reported an unusually high number of drones, and police attempted to identify operators based on public reports.

• Nov 19 — Netherlands (Zeeland Port Region), additional drone activity was reported over the Zeeland port complex. Authorities again received multiple public sightings and attempted to locate operators. The drones’ origins and intentions remained unknown.

• Nov 20 — England (Shrewsbury/Pontesbury): Witness reported a 30‑ft cigar‑shaped silver object.

• Nov 23-24 — Kleine‑Brogel Air Base, Belgium, activity unfolded late on Saturday night, November 22, and into the early hours of Sunday, November 23. At about 11:00 PM local time Saturday, Belgian forces at Kleine‑Brogel attempted to disable one of the unidentified drones using electromagnetic jamming and drone‑guns. By roughly 1:30 AM Sunday, at least three separate incursions had been logged, with the drones flying north toward the Dutch border before disappearing from radar.

  Nov 21–23 — Volkel Air Base, Netherlands, Dutch military opened fire on unidentified drones flying over Volkel between 7:00–9:00 PM local time. No wreckage was recovered, and the drones escaped. The Ministry of Defence confirmed the incidents but withheld further details for security reasons.

  Nov 22–23 — Gibraltar, drones were sighted near the runway at main airport.

  Nov 23 — Eindhoven Airport, Netherlands, From 7:00–11:00 PM CET, unidentified drones forced Eindhoven Airport to suspend flights. Nine flights were diverted, two grounded, and passengers stranded. Military forces fired but failed to down the drones. This marked a major civilian disruption in the Netherlands tied to the mystery drone incursions.

  Dec 1— Ireland, four large, military‑spec drones breached a no‑fly zone over Dublin as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s aircraft approached the city.

  Dec 4 — France, five unidentified drones were detected over the Île Longue nuclear‑submarine base in Brittany, France — the home port of France’s ballistic‑missile submarines.