Russian drone approached French aircraft carrier in Malmö – was jammed

On February 26, 2026, a Russian drone flew close to the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle while it was docked in Malmö harbor, Sweden. The drone was detected by the Swedish Armed Forces, which responded by jamming the drone's controls. The drone was reportedly able to fly close to the ship, which is the largest non-American nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, approximately 260 meters long and capable of carrying around a thousand sailors and about 30 combat aircraft. The incident is considered a serious security breach, as it occurred near the harbor and a military exercise. Swedish officials and the French military have confirmed the event. The drone did not cause physical damage and either returned to the Russian ship or crashed at sea. This event raises concerns about Russian reconnaissance and hybrid aggression activities in Swedish waters.