The Mystery Drones Return—-Multiple Mystery Drones Intrude Airspace Over Doel Nuclear Power Plant Near Antwerp

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

Updated November 11

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

jameshall042999@gmail.com

In the past six weeks, Europe has seen dozens of coordinated drone incursions over airports and military installations, and even Doel nuclear power plant near Antwerp on the evening of November 9. Yet, most people are oblivious to the significant stories!

Since September 22, mystery drone incursions have swept across Europe, striking both civilian airports and NATO military sites. More than twenty airports in ten countries have been forced to suspend or reroute flights, stranding tens of thousands of passengers. The incursions show a clear pattern: small drones probing communications and radar, followed by larger craft lingering near aircraft, munitions depots, and runways. Belgium’s defense minister has warned the country is in an “interim phase between peace and war,” as NATO scrambles to expand surveillance and deploy counter‑drone systems.

Whether these flights are Russian probes, covert NATO exercises, or unexplained aerial phenomena, the ambiguity itself is a weapon—eroding confidence, magnifying risk, and leaving Europe’s skies contested. This blog will serve as a living record of the unfolding mystery, with a day‑by‑day chronology of sightings and responses.

The European Mystery Drone reports clearly describe real, physical craft—unmarked, untraceable, and anomalous. They seem to be adversaries making decisions in the dark. They blur the line between reconnaissance and provocation, between accident and act of war.

Mystery drone incursions have continued to escalate across Europe, striking both civilian airports and sensitive NATO military sites. By early November, airport intrusions have included Copenhagen, Oslo, Munich, Amsterdam Schiphol, Bucharest, Bremen, Berlin Brandenburg, Brussels, Liège, and Gothenburg Landvetter. The incursions have grown in frequency and sophistication, with repeated grid‑pattern flights, electronic probing, and evasive maneuvers reported near bases such as Kleine Brogel in Belgium, which hosts US nuclear weapons.

The pattern, as stated, shows two distinct and often repeated waves of activity. This begins initially with small drones testing communications and radar, followed by larger, longer‑endurance craft lingering near aircraft, munitions depots, and runways. Civilian disruptions have intensified, with Munich shut down twice in 24 hours in October, Bremen forced to halt operations on November 2, and Brussels and Liège airports closed overnight on November 4–5. On November 6–7, new sightings again disrupted Liège Airport, 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 warned that Belgium is in an “interim phase between peace and war,” urging 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. The incidents underscore NATO’s vulnerability to low‑cost, high‑impact drone operations capable of simultaneously harassing military bases and crippling civilian air traffic.

But these disruptions are not limited to civilian airspace. Drones have been spotted near NATO military bases, nuclear storage sites, and critical infrastructure across the Baltic region and northern tier. In response, NATO has expanded Operation Eastern Sentry, deployed AWACS surveillance aircraft, and fast-tracked the 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.

So what are we seeing? Some witnesses describe large, fixed-wing drones with red or green navigation lights. Others report a more intense red glow—a detail that evokes the so-called Scandinavian Mystery Drones of past decades. Numerous sightings are describing self-luminous airframes. Officials still emphasize conventional platforms, but the sightings retain an anomalous edge. Many professionals and laypeople are now asking: if you’re spying on someone, why light yourself up like a Christmas tree?

The Russian Orlan‑10 UAV, with its 16‑hour endurance, parachute recovery system, and proven track record in electronic warfare, could be a plausible candidate for some of these incursions. Other platforms such as the Lancet loitering munition or the SuperCam reconnaissance drone also fit certain aspects of the sightings, particularly their range and persistence. Yet none of these systems are known to employ navigation lights, nor do they typically appear luminous under normal operating conditions. The only circumstance in which they might seem illuminated would be at high altitude, when their fuselage or wings catch the rays of the rising or setting sun—producing a fleeting glow visible from the ground. This discrepancy raises questions about whether the observed drones are military‑grade systems at all, or instead civilian or improvised platforms deliberately repurposed for psychological effect, designed to unsettle populations and force governments to react to ambiguous threats.

The anomalous reports of bright red or green glows—sometimes described as more intense than conventional navigation lights—add another layer of uncertainty. If these are deliberate features, they could be intended to mimic conventional aircraft lighting and confuse observers. If not, they may point to unknown or unconventional technologies. Which leads to the more provocative question: are all of these incursions attributable to human adversaries, or could some represent non‑human intelligence UAPs? While officials emphasize conventional explanations, the persistence of anomalous details keeps the door open to interpretations that extend beyond standard military hardware. In hybrid warfare, ambiguity is a weapon. It erodes public confidence, forces governments to react without clear proof, and magnifies the risk of miscalculation. Whether these incursions are Russian probes, covert NATO exercises, or unexplained aerial phenomena, the uncertainty itself may be the point.

These events echo the New Jersey sightings we documented last year—diverse objects, erratic behavior, and a conspicuous absence of attribution. And if these are our old, decades-long UAP visitors, they’ve chosen a particularly volatile moment to reappear—one in which NATO-Russian tensions are nearing a boiling point.

Importantly, this is not an isolated phenomenon. Mystery drone sightings have been reported for years at 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—a site believed to house US tactical nuclear weapons—was overflown by drones in two distinct waves.

Meanwhile, the FBI has issued new guidance urging defense contractors and infrastructure operators to report all suspicious activity involving “unmanned systems”—a term now expanded to include unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), remotely piloted vehicles (RPVs), and unidentified aerial phenomena (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 a case of covert escalation, technological overmatch, or something stranger still, one thing is clear:

The skies over Europe are no longer uncontested.

Artistic rendering by James Hall

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 20:26 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.

Sept 23–24 (some reports into 24–25) — 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 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.”

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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 23:00 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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 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.) See Photo.

Green flashing light observed over Kilmarnock, Scotland.

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

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 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.

Oct 15 — England (Milton Keynes):
At 5:11 PM local time in Fairfield Park, a witness with her daughter and grandson observed a disc‑shaped object moving smoothly and silently across the sky. The object appeared silver or dark, with a “ripple” or distortion effect ahead of it, unlike a normal aircraft trail. A second, similar object was seen further along the same path before fading into clouds. (National UFO Reporting Center, https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=193390.)

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.

Odd cylindrical object appears above tree.

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.

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.)

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 21 — England:
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 21-25 — 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 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).

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.)

A single circular light sphere lit up the whole sky over Caerwent, Wales.

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 06:35 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.)

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 anomalous element to this story.

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 — 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.)

Nov 7-8 — Belgium still focus:
On Nov 7–8, the most significant mystery drone activity was reported again in Belgium. These events were widely covered in European and international media. November 8, the situation escalated further when drones appeared near Brussels, Liège, and Antwerp airports, disrupting passenger travel and prompting the Belgian Prime Minister to convene an emergency National Security Council meeting. (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; and 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; and 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.)

Nov 8-9 — Sweden (Gothenburg Landvetter Airport, Doel nuclear power plant:
Gothenburg’s main airport reported drone activity disrupting operations. Multiple drones were spotted over Belgium’s Doel nuclear power plant near Antwerp on the evening of November 9. Authorities confirmed between three and five drones were observed for about an hour. Plant operations were not affected, but the incident has raised serious security concerns. (“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.)

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 9-10 —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 reported:

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 — 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).)

Authors’ Conclusion:

Amid this backdrop of “mysterious drone” activity and provocation in Europe, the war between Russia and Ukraine is dramatically intensifying:

The conflict has entered one of its most violent and unpredictable phases since 2022. Overnight on November 2–3, Russia launched a wave of drone and missile attacks, killing at least 15 civilians, including two children, and cutting electricity to nearly 60,000 residents in the southern front-line region of Zaporizhia. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted many of the incoming weapons, but the scale and frequency of the strikes continue to grow.

In response, Ukrainian forces targeted Russia’s Black Sea oil port of Tuapse with a drone strike, igniting a fire and reportedly damaging two foreign vessels. The attack forced the temporary closure of dozens of Russian airports, particularly in the south and west, as aviation authorities scrambled to secure airspace.

On the ground, combat intensity remained high. On November 2, Ukrainian forces recorded 162 engagements, with the fiercest fighting in the Pokrovsk sector, where defenders repelled 68 separate assaults. Russian forces dropped 134 guided aerial bombs, launched 66 airstrikes, and carried out 4,913 shellings, including 45 from multiple launch rocket systems. Ukrainian aviation and artillery units struck three clusters of Russian manpower and equipment, sustaining counteroffensive momentum.

The Ukrainian General Staff now estimates Russian casualties at over 1,144,830 personnel, with 1,160 soldiers killed or wounded in the past 24 hours alone. These figures underscore the staggering human cost of the war and the relentless pace of operations. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the latest Russian attacks as deliberate attempts to harm civilians and announced further reinforcements to Ukraine’s air defense systems. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, meanwhile, said “painstaking work” was needed to resolve the conflict, dismissing the possibility of a summit between Presidents Trump and Putin.

On November 9–10, Russia again struck Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, plunging Kyiv and multiple regions into blackouts. In Kharkiv, 100,000 residents lost electricity, water, and heating as repair crews raced to restore services. Ukraine retaliated with drone and missile strikes on Belgorod and Voronezh, cutting power and heating to thousands of Russian households. These tit-for-tat attacks highlight how drones have become central to both sides’ strategy of targeting energy systems deep behind the front lines.

According to Ukraine’s General Staff, 154 combat engagements occurred on November 10, with the fiercest fighting in Pokrovsk and Kurakhove. Russian forces deployed 48 airstrikes, 85 guided aerial bombs, and 643 kamikaze drones, alongside 3,632 artillery strikes. Ukrainian defenders eliminated an estimated 145 Russian personnel and wounded 204 more in a single day. The Russian Ministry of Defence claimed the capture of Rybne in Zaporizhia, though analysts noted Moscow’s activity around Pokrovsk had slowed as forces regrouped and extended logistics lines.

Zelenskyy also announced preparations for a twentieth sanctions package with European partners, targeting Russian entities profiting from energy resources, while reiterating the urgent need for reinforced air defenses. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov countered that ending the war was “impossible” without addressing Moscow’s “legitimate interests,” while signaling readiness to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Kremlin officials again dismissed prospects of a Trump–Putin summit.

The battle for Pokrovsk remains emblematic of the broader struggle, where drones, guided bombs, and artillery converge in a brutal contest for control. Ukraine continues striking Russian energy infrastructure and supply lines, while Russia intensifies efforts to seize towns and disrupt logistics. The escalation of November 10 demonstrates how mystery drone incursions in NATO airspace mirror the battlefield reality in Ukraine—a conflict increasingly defined by uncrewed aerial systems, energy warfare, and grinding attrition.

Michael and James Hall add their own perspective:

“With tensions this high, if even some of these intrusive “Mystery Drones” into Western Europe are of Russian origin, they could spark an unimaginable war.”

As we remind readers in The Sword of Damocles: Our Nuclear Age:

“The Cold War remained largely cold because rational leaders, on all sides, remained rational. We may now be in a new age.”

The solution to the war in Ukraine is at once simple and impossibly complex.

“The reality in Europe since Russia’s full‑scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 is stark and sobering. Russia remains a formidable nuclear power. While it has thus far refrained from deploying such weapons, its repeated threats—both direct and implied—have cast a long and chilling shadow over the region. These nuclear overtures are not mere rhetoric; they are strategic signals meant to deter deeper Western involvement.

Militarily, NATO possesses overwhelming conventional superiority. Russia’s advances in drone warfare and battlefield adaptation are notable, but they do not match the collective capabilities of NATO forces. In theory, the West could intervene decisively and restore Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty. In practice, however, the specter of nuclear escalation transforms what might appear to be a straightforward solution into a perilous gamble with global consequences.

Thus, the United States continues to support Ukraine through a proxy framework—arming, training, and financing its defense—while NATO nations grow increasingly assertive. Their resolve is fueled not only by moral outrage but by a dawning realization: if Ukraine falls, they too may face the same existential threat. The situation is not static; it is deteriorating, and the stakes rise with each passing month.”

(Quote from our recently published book, The Sword of Damocles, Our Nuclear Age—available on Amazon, Kindle and Audible—has traced this escalating conflict and changing nature of deference since the onset of the Russian-Ukrainian war, offering historical context and forward-looking analysis.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1965384595?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title)

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

Reference Notes:

Chronological Bibliography:

• AFP. “Drone Sightings Disrupt Flights at Copenhagen, Oslo Airports.” Al Jazeera, 22 September 2025. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/22/copenhagen-airport-shut-after-sighting-of-unidentified-drones.

• North Atlantic Treaty Organization. “Statement by the North Atlantic Council on Recent Airspace Violations by Russia.” NATO, 23 September 2025. https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/official_texts_237721.htm.

• Matt Pearson. “Why Is Europe Struggling to Defend against Drones?” Deutsche Welle, 25 September 2025. https://www.dw.com/en/why-is-europe-struggling-to-defend-against-drones/a-74139551.

• Marcel Burger. “The Week of Mysterious Drones over Scandinavia.” Nordic Reporter, 26 September 2025. https://nordicreporter.com/2025/09/the-week-of-mysterious-drones-over-scandinavia/.

• Michael Drummond and Lauren Russell. “Airport Drone Sightings: What We Know, Why It’s Dangerous, and Can They Be Stopped?” Sky News, 26 September 2025. https://news.sky.com/story/airport-drone-sightings-what-we-know-why-its-dangerous-and-can-they-be-stopped-13437923.

• Yuliia Taradiuk. “Unidentified Drones Reportedly Spotted in Denmark, Lithuania, Finland.” The Kyiv Independent, 27 September 2025. https://kyivindependent.com/unidentified-drones-reportedly-spotted-in-denmark-lithuania-and-finland/.

• Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. “New Drone Sightings Reported Over Europe As EU Plans Defensive Wall.” RFE/RL, 27 September 2025. https://www.rferl.org/a/drone-uav-hybrid-europe-russia-defense/33542502.html.

• Reuters (reprinted by Helsinki Times). “NATO Deploys Frigate to Baltic after Drone Incursions in Denmark.” Helsinki Times, 29 September 2025. https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/world-int/28032-nato-deploys-frigate-to-baltic-after-drone-incursions-in-denmark.html.

• World News. “Airport in Canary Islands Forced to Cancel and Divert Flights Due to Drones.” World News, 29 September 2025. https://article.wn.com/view-lemonde/2025/09/29/Airport_in_Canary_Islands_forced_to_cancel_and_divert_flight/.

• Tim McMillan. “Mystery Drone Incursions in NATO Airspace Spark Europe‑Wide Concerns Over ‘Hybrid Warfare’ Threats.” The Debrief, 30 September 2025. https://thedebrief.org/mystery-drone-incursions-in-nato-airspace-spark-hybrid-warfare-threats.

Oct 1–3, 2025

• Humphrey Carter. “Drone Concerns for Spain Flights as European Incursion Problem Grow.” Majorca Daily Bulletin, 1 October 2025. https://www.majorcadailybulletin.com/holiday/airport/2025/10/01/136879/drone-concerns-for-spain-flights-european-incursion-problem-grow/related.html.

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

• The Telegraph. “Drone Incursions Are on the Rise at European Airports.” Accessed 2 October 2025. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/news/airport-drone-incursions/.

• Rayhan Demytrie. “Drone Sighting Shuts Major European Airport as Thousands Stranded.” The Independent, 3 October 2025. https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/munich-airports-drones-closed-open-b2838615.html.

• Kevin Doyle and Reuters. “Munich Airport Halts Flights after Drone Sightings; Passengers Stranded.” Al Jazeera, 3 October 2025. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10/3/munich-airport-halts-flights-after-drone-sightings-passengers-stranded.

• Goda Labanauskaite. “Munich Airport Reopens after Latest European Drone Breach.” AeroTime, 3 October 2025. https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/munich-airport-reopens-latest-european-drone-breach.

• Miriam McNabb. “Munich Airport Drone Disruption Raises Alarms over Civil Aviation Security.” DRONELIFE, 3 October 2025. https://dronelife.com/tag/drone-incidents-europe/.

• Matthias Schrader and The Associated Press. “Munich Airport Temporarily Shuts Down after Drones Reported in Airspace.” Global News, 3 October 2025. https://globalnews.ca/news/11463046/munich-airport-shutdown-drones-europe-airspace.

• Ayhan Uyanik. “Drone Sightings Prompt Call for German Police to Gain Shoot‑Down Powers.” Reuters via Yahoo News, 3 October 2025. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/drone-sightings-prompt-call-german-100157354.html.

• Emmet Lyons. “More Unidentified Drones in Europe Halt Flights at Munich Airport amid Sightings near Belgian Air Base.” CBS News, 3 October 2025. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/munich-drones-europe-belgium-military-base-russia-threat-nato/.

• Brandon J. Yaniz. “Drone Disruptions in Europe: What Travelers Should Expect Next.” Adept Travel, 3 October 2025. https://adept.travel/news/2025-10-03-europe-airport-drone-disruptions-what-travelers-should-know.

• Metro. “Drone Swarms Force Another Major Airport to Close.” Metro, 3 October 2025. https://metro.co.uk/2025/10/03/munich-airport-forced-to-close-after-more-drone-sightings-24327873/.

• 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/.

Oct 4–10, 2025

• 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.

Oct 11–20, 2025

• 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.

Oct 21–26, 2025

• 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.

Oct 28–29, 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.

  Nov 1–5, 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.

• Nov 6-8, 2025

  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.

  Nov 8-11, 2025

• 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.

Updated single-line chronology of major European drone and anomalous light incidents since September 22:

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

• Sept 23–24 — Northern Denmark cluster: Multiple large fixed‑wing drones forced Aalborg Airport closure for ~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 with NATO consultations considered.

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

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

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

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

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

• Oct 3–4 — Munich repeat and Prague alert: Further overnight disruption at Munich with diversions; Václav Havel Airport investigated an anonymous drone threat.

• Oct 4–5 — Major Munich closure: Munich closed again after simultaneous drone sightings over north and south runways around 23:00, causing mass cancellations and diversions.

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

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

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

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

• Oct 12–13 — Sweden coast lights: Anomalous lights reported off the coast of Sweden.

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

• Oct 17 — Estonia and Portugal: Two unidentified drones detected near Estonia; fast‑moving zigzagging bright light reported over Faro, Portugal.

• Oct 19 — Palma de Mallorca Airport: Incoming operations temporarily suspended after multiple pilot and staff drone reports near runways.

• Oct 21–25 — Fresh coordinated incursions:

• Oct 21 (UK) — New UK MoD “shoot‑down” rules announced as unidentified drones were sighted over RAF Waddington and RAF Coningsby.

• Oct 22 (Poland/Lithuania) — Two drones reported near Białystok with one briefly entering Lithuanian airspace.

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

• Oct 24 (Norway) — Bergen Airport temporarily closed after three drones were spotted near the runway.

• Oct 25 (France) — French jets scrambled when two drones appeared near Cherbourg Naval Base.

• Oct 26 — Strategic response: No confirmed fresh incursions overnight; European ministers endorsed moves toward a continent‑wide detection/interception “drone wall.”

• Oct 26–28 — Marche‑en‑Famenne Belgium: Authorities opened an investigation after multiple unidentified drones observed over key areas of the military base on Oct 26 and Oct 28.

• Oct 27 — Zadar, Croatia: Triangular object with three lights moving west‑to‑east at 20:40 local time reported with humming sound (NUFORC report).

• Oct 28 — Spain (Alicante‑Elche): Alicante‑Elche Miguel Hernández Airport closed about two hours after a drone sighting around 20:53 local time; flights diverted and operations resumed later that night.

• Oct 28 — Canary Islands follow‑up: Additional Fuerteventura report cited in chronology of renewed sightings.

• Oct 29 — Ireland anomalous light: Bright, fast‑moving luminous object observed across Ireland, widely reported and later linked in media coverage to a high‑altitude rocket/launch plume visible after a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch.

• Nov 1-2 — Belgian military base believed to host US tactical nuclear weapons had drone incursions for two consecutive nights.

• Nov 2-3 — Renewed drone incursions into Belgian military base and Bremen airport in Germany.

• Nov 4 — Airport shutdowns and flight diversions in Belgium.

• Nov 5 — During the overnight hours, both Brussels Airport and Liège Airport were forced to suspend flights for several hours due to suspected drone activity.

• Nov 6-7 — New sightings again disrupted Liège Airport.

• Nov 7–8 — The most significant mystery drone activity reported in Belgium.

• Nov 8–9 — Sweden’s main airport reported drone activity disrupting operations.

• Nov 9 — Drones over Belgium’s Doel nuclear power.