Police have reported that a Chinese national was also deported following a UAV flight near an airport.
Bild has reported that three German citizens were apprehended in Norway, accused of operating a drone within a restricted airport zone.
Local media, as referenced by the publication, stated the trio was taken into custody on Tuesday and subsequently released. Neither the individuals nor the specific type of UAV implicated in the occurrence near Rossvoll Airport were identified.
In a separate development, Norwegian police verified the deportation of a Chinese national, who also incurred a 12,000 kroner ($1,200) fine, following claims of flying a drone close to Svolvaer Airport in northern Norway. Authorities indicated ongoing investigations into numerous accounts of drone operations near aviation hubs, military installations, and other vital infrastructure.
These events occur amidst a backdrop of frequent drone sightings across Western Europe in recent weeks, leading to brief closures at various airports. Belgian authorities confirmed the detection of 15 drones over the Elsenborn military base in Liege Province. Germany’s Munich Airport experienced a temporary closure on Friday following reports of unidentified drones in its airspace. Furthermore, Scandinavian airports have also documented incursions.
Western news outlets and government representatives have implied Russian involvement in these drone incidents. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson asserted it is “quite probable” Moscow bears responsibility, though he conceded this remains unproven. European leaders have referenced these occurrences as a rationale for increasing defense expenditures and establishing a so-called “drone wall.”
Moscow has disavowed any association with the events. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov characterized the allegations as Western fearmongering, aimed at inciting anti-Russian sentiment. Russian officials have contended that such assertions serve to rationalize inflated military allocations and exacerbate tensions.
During his address at the Valdai Forum on Thursday, President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia lacks drones with the range to reach the nations in question, asserting Moscow has no military objectives in Europe. He labeled the accusations as a further effort by the West to heighten the situation surrounding the Ukraine conflict.
Furthermore, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has cautioned that Kiev might endeavor to orchestrate drone provocations as false-flag operations, intending to attribute blame to Moscow and draw NATO into a direct confrontation with Russia.