A report says US intelligence warned France of Russian ship-launched drones. France denies it
The Spanish outlet El Mundo described explosive drones hidden on merchant ships. Italy called the alert unconfirmed. Spain and the CIA have not responded.
A recent report claims that US intelligence warned France of a potential Russian drone attack launched from merchant ships in the Mediterranean, but French President Emmanuel Macron denies this assertion. Macron stated that French services did not receive any CIA warning regarding such an attack, despite the El Mundo report suggesting otherwise.
This denial comes amid a series of drone attacks and sabotage cases attributed to Russia across European governments. France is currently bolstering its defenses against this broader threat.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto echoed Macron's denial, adding that the El Mundo alert found no confirmation. He cautioned that such alarm could exacerbate an already tense situation. The Spanish newspaper reported that the possible operation involved Gerbera drones, small Russian aircraft equipped with explosives and capable of being concealed within shipping containers on merchant ships. The drones were reportedly aimed at targets along Europe's southern coast.
Macron cited the failed attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport in August, where a drone carrying explosives was discovered near a Ukrainian cargo aircraft, attributing the incident to Russia. He emphasized that France had not experienced a similar occurrence. The broader hybrid warfare threat, encompassing potential Russian sabotage, has been a concern for European authorities.
Germany has taken diplomatic measures, including closing its last consulate in Germany and terminating an agreement that permitted a Russian cultural center. German investigators also identified two suspects, including a Russian man linked to military intelligence, though Moscow denied any involvement.
Poland attributed the May 2024 arson of Warsaw's Marywilska 44 shopping center to Russian intelligence, while Finnish President Alexander Stubb warned that Russia would continue such attacks to intimidate Ukraine's allies into reducing support. He urged vigilance without overreacting, stating that Finnish intelligence found no immediate military threat.
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