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Fact-checking Europe's 'drone problem': Why are airports closing over drone sightings?

Airports in Europe are seeing a sharp rise in drone-related disruptions, analysis by The Cube shows. What are these drones interrupting passengers, and who's behind them?

READ MORE : http://www.euronews.com/2025/11/20/fact-checking-europes-drone-problem-why-are-airports-shuttering-over-drone-sightings

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Transcript
00:00How and why are drones shutting down Europe's runways?
00:07Since September, drone incidents have affected more than 24 airports in 12 countries,
00:12causing unprecedented disruption across Europe.
00:15Belgium has been the hardest hit, reporting 10 incidents in the space of a single week,
00:20bringing Brussels airport to a standstill and prompting dozens of flight cancellations.
00:25It's semi-professional, professional, large drones.
00:30We see several drones simultaneously, which are also flying in formation.
00:35That can't everyone.
00:37That requires a few skills.
00:40And it's in line with hybrid techniques,
00:44which we also see in other countries, in other theaters.
00:48Drone activity near European airport is not a new phenomenon,
00:51but theCUBE's analysis of media reports showed that reporting on disruptions quadrupled between 2024 and 2025.
00:59These reports show that incidents have become more disruptive
01:02and more likely to lead to hours-long shutdowns and delays.
01:05In contrast, incidents in 2024 were minor and barely reported on.
01:10From 2025 onwards, reports of drone-related airport disruptions became more intense.
01:16In Denmark, police inspector Yancy Espersen said several large drones were found flying around Copenhagen airport for more than three hours.
01:24He described the culprit as a capable actor with both the will and tools to show off.
01:29In October, Chancellor Friedrich Merz claimed that Russia was behind most of these drone flights,
01:34calling them espionnage-atems intended to unsettle the population.
01:38Experts say the drone incidents form a coordinated hybrid attack designed to sow public doubt,
01:44mirroring tactics Russia has already used in Europe.
01:47While Russian involvement cannot be ruled out, the reality is that many investigations are still open-ended.
01:53Moscow has denied any rule in the incidents.
01:56Moscow has also been vaccinated.
01:57Moscow has returned to a
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