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Headline: Denmark reports ‘hybrid attack’ as unidentified drones shutter Aalborg airport
Short Summary: Denmark's Aalborg airport was closed on the night of September 24, 2025, after 'more than one' unidentified drone was sighted flying with lights on near the airport, which serves both commercial and military flights including NATO operations. The drone activity lasted several hours beginning at 19:44 GMT and forced flights to be halted until 04:00 GMT on the following day. Three other smaller airports—Esbjerg, Sonderborg, and Skrydstrup (home to Denmark’s F-16 and F-35 fighters)—reported drone sightings but remained operational. This incident followed a similar shutdown of Copenhagen airport just days earlier. Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen described the coordinated incidents as a professional hybrid attack designed to sow fear and division, pointing to a pattern linked to a series of suspected Russian drone incursions across Europe. Danish police are investigating and working alongside armed forces to identify the actors. The incidents have raised serious concern within NATO, with European leaders including the European Commission’s Ursula von der Leyen signaling readiness to consider defensive measures such as shooting down intruding fighter jets. The Kremlin denied responsibility. The events have intensified calls for NATO members to strengthen border defenses amid repeated drone violations across the region.
Extended Summary: Denmark's Aalborg airport was closed on the night of September 24, 2025, after 'more than one' unidentified drone was sighted flying with lights on near the airport, which serves both commercial and military flights including NATO operations. The drone activity lasted several hours beginning at 19:44 GMT and forced flights to be halted until 04:00 GMT on the following day. Three other smaller airports—Esbjerg, Sonderborg, and Skrydstrup (home to Denmark’s F-16 and F-35 fighters)—reported drone sightings but remained operational. This incident followed a similar shutdown of Copenhagen airport just days earlier. Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen described the coordinated incidents as a professional hybrid attack designed to sow fear and division, pointing to a pattern linked to a series of suspected Russian drone incursions across Europe. Danish police are investigating and working alongside armed forces to identify the actors. The incidents have raised serious concern within NATO, with European leaders including the European Commission’s Ursula von der Leyen signaling readiness to consider defensive measures such as shooting down intruding fighter jets. The Kremlin denied responsibility. The events have intensified calls for NATO members to strengthen border defenses amid repeated drone violations across the region.
On the night of September 24, 2025, unidentified drones were sighted near Aalborg airport in northern Denmark, leading to its closure along with reports of drone activity at three other smaller airports. This follows a similar incident earlier in the week at Copenhagen airport, where drone sightings forced a temporary shutdown. Danish officials characterized these systematic drone incursions as a professionally mounted hybrid attack aimed at spreading fear and division, with authorities suspecting Russian involvement. The drone activities disrupted civilian and military flights, including at a NATO base, and prompted Danish cooperation with NATO allies to enhance critical infrastructure security. Danish police and armed forces are investigating the incidents, while political leaders across Europe have voiced concern and discussed defensive responses including shooting down intruding aircraft. The Kremlin has denied any involvement.
The article explicitly describes systematic unauthorized drone incursions causing airport closures in Denmark that officials interpret as a hostile hybrid attack likely involving Russia, while also detailing Danish and NATO defensive responses and cooperation to protect critical infrastructure.
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