Hybrid Conflict Intensifies as Drones Strike Denmark's Critical Infrastructure

On September 24 and 25, 2025, Denmark experienced a series of coordinated drone activities near vital infrastructure and military sites, leading to the temporary shutdown of Aalborg Airport and heightened security at three additional airports. Danish authorities referred to these events as a "hybrid attack," involving unauthorized drones operating close to airports and military locations such as Skrydstrup Air Base and the Jutland Dragoon regiment. Officials have now permitted the military to shoot down drones in future occurrences, although immediate action near civilian airports was ruled out due to safety reasons.

Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen highlighted the organized and professional nature of the incidents, stating that they were carried out systematically by individuals with significant technical skills. Although there is no concrete proof pointing to a particular nation, there is speculation about Russian involvement, especially given similar drone incidents at airports in Copenhagen and Oslo and broader Russian drone activity in NATO airspace. Denmark’s intelligence leader, Finn Borch, cautioned about a significant risk of Russian sabotage but did not directly accuse any party.

NATO responded with a firm denunciation of Russia’s recent violations of allied airspace, including breaches in Poland, Romania, and Estonia, and warned that defensive actions could be intensified. Secretary General Mark Rutte remarked, “While we are a defensive alliance, we are not naive,” stressing the alliance’s preparedness to employ “every necessary military and non-military measure” to address threats. Denmark is weighing the option of triggering NATO’s Article 4, which allows for consultations when a member feels its security is at risk, though no official request has been submitted so far.

These drone events are part of a broader trend of hybrid warfare, which also includes cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns aimed at undermining European stability. Experts believe such tactics are designed to instill fear, disrupt essential services, and test NATO’s ability to respond. Edward Arnold from the Royal United Services Institute commented, “Drone technology has advanced significantly… it’s no longer just in the hands of powerful states,” pointing to the increasing availability of sophisticated drones.

Denmark currently faces challenges in countering these threats due to limited defense resources. The country does not possess a land-based air defense system and has admitted that its present capabilities are inadequate against advanced drones. Lund Poulsen announced intentions to acquire such systems and stressed the need for a comprehensive strategy, including drone jamming and other counter-drone solutions, to better address future threats. The European Commission has also voiced concern, with President Ursula von der Leyen describing the attacks as part of a wider trend of “ongoing challenges at our borders.”

These incidents highlight growing tensions across Europe as NATO countries confront hybrid threats. Comparable drone disruptions in Norway and Poland have heightened worries about orchestrated attempts to exploit weaknesses in air defense. Although Denmark and its partners have not yet established a direct connection to the latest attacks, the timing and tactics indicate a deliberate effort to increase instability in the region.

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