U.S. intelligence warns Spain, France and Italy of possible Russian Gerbera drone attack from commercial ships, El Mundo reports

U.S. intelligence has warned Spain, France, and Italy of a potential Russian drone attack, according to Spanish newspaper El Mundo. The drones could be launched from commercial ships after being hidden within shipping containers, as per a Lithuanian Defense Ministry source. The drones in question are Gerbera UAVs, weighing up to 18 kilograms and capable of reaching speeds of 160 kilometers per hour.

They have a range of up to 600 kilometers and a 4-5 kilogram warhead, which could ignite fires or temporarily disrupt ports and airports. Lithuania received the intelligence warning after CIA Director John Ratcliffe's visit to Moscow on August 25. French President Emmanuel Macron responded by strengthening protection against cyberattacks and drones, citing "hybrid threats" from Russia.

The warning comes ahead of elections in all three countries in 2027, as radical political forces may exploit public fear over Russian attacks. Meanwhile, debris and explosives suspected of coming from a drone were found near a German military base and Leipzig/Halle Airport, potentially linked to a sabotage incident at the airport in early August blamed on Russia.