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

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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  Subscribe to our channel. Euronews is available on Dailymotion in 12 languages

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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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