NATO is stepping up its presence in the Baltic Sea after drones were spotted near military sites in Denmark. This decision comes after several drone incidents near airports and critical infrastructure in the region.
On Monday, Copenhagen Airport, the busiest in the Nordic countries, was temporarily closed when large drones were seen in its airspace. Following this, five smaller airports in Denmark also shut down for safety reasons. The Danish Armed Forces reported these sightings and raised concerns about the potential risks.
In response to these threats, NATO announced it would enhance its mission in the Baltic Sea. The alliance plans to deploy new assets, including an air-defense frigate and various intelligence and surveillance platforms. A NATO spokesperson mentioned that they would not disclose which countries would contribute these additional resources.
This upgrade aims to strengthen NATO’s "Baltic Sentry" mission, which began in January. This mission was launched to address incidents where critical infrastructure, such as power cables and gas pipelines on the Baltic Sea floor, faced damage. So far, NATO countries have sent frigates, patrol aircraft, and naval drones to protect these vital assets.
Additionally, NATO recently initiated the "Eastern Sentry" mission to bolster defenses on Europe’s eastern front, especially after Russian drones entered Polish airspace. Tensions have been rising, with NATO warning Russia that it would use all necessary means to defend itself. This follows an incident where Russian fighter jets briefly violated Estonian airspace, prompting NATO’s Italian jets to escort them out.
Russian officials have denied these claims and stated that their drones did not intend to target Poland. Meanwhile, Germany’s Interior Minister highlighted the high threat level posed by drones and mentioned that the country would take steps to enhance its defense.
As the situation evolves, both NATO and Russia remain on alert, with each side responding to perceived threats in the region.
