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2h ago

Germany Says Russia Likely Behind Drone Flights Disrupting Airports

The chancellor cast the recent incursions as unarmed reconnaissance that has repeatedly forced airport shutdowns across Europe.

Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz attends the ceremony of signing the golden book of Saarbruecken, on the day of the celebrations to mark the 35th anniversary of Germany's Unification Day, in Saarbruecken, Germany, October 3, 2025. REUTERS/Heiko Becker
Russia's Deputy head of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev takes part in a wreath laying ceremony marking Defender of the Fatherland Day at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by the Kremlin Wall in Moscow, Russia, February 23, 2024. Sputnik/Yekaterina Shtukina/Pool via REUTERS
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Overview

  • Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he assumes Russia is responsible for most unidentified drones over Germany and that the devices appear to be conducting reconnaissance rather than carrying weapons.
  • Drone sightings caused major disruption around Oct. 3–4, with 17 flights grounded and nearly 3,000 passengers affected at Munich Airport, and Czech police reporting activity near Prague’s Vaclav Havel Airport.
  • Bavarian leader Markus Söder called for police authorization to shoot down unidentified drones and said draft legislation to enable this is underway.
  • Investigators are examining potential links among recent unidentified drone incidents reported over northern Germany, according to German media cited by the Kyiv Independent.
  • Russia has dismissed blame: Dmitry Medvedev said it was unclear who was responsible and used the disruptions to warn Europeans about the dangers of war.