Intelligence agencies in the U.S. have alerted Spain, France, and Italy to the possibility that Russia may deploy drones against airports in those nations, potentially launching them from merchant vessels operating in the Mediterranean. The alert, first published by El Mundo and later expanded by Euronews, outlines a plan involving Gerbera drones, small, budget-friendly unmanned aircraft, disguised aboard commercial-looking ships to evade detection over Eastern Europe. These drones would avoid overflight restrictions while posing a direct threat to air travel infrastructure.
The drones, according to unnamed Lithuanian defense officials, have an operational range of 600 kilometers and a maximum speed of 160 km/h. Each unit weighs approximately 18 kilograms and carries a limited explosive payload. Their primary danger does not stem from mass destruction but from forcing airports to pause operations, close runways, or implement temporary shutdowns while assessing risks. Even a single drone near an airport can trigger widespread disruptions, including flight diversions, passenger delays, and prolonged grounding of aircraft until the threat is neutralized.
This potential operation would rely on launching from Mediterranean ships to compensate for the drones’ limited range. The warning follows CIA Director John Ratcliffe’s trip to Moscow in August, where intelligence on such capabilities may have been shared. The risk is not theoretical: European airports have already faced repeated drone-related incidents, often with severe consequences for travelers.
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On September 18, Luxembourg Airport temporarily suspended operations after detecting unauthorized drones near its airfield. Services resumed the following day, though the incident caused delays and schedule disruptions. Meanwhile, Russian airports recorded 993 temporary restrictions in August alone, according to aviation security firm Osprey Flight Solutions, with a total of 2,100 restrictions reported between June and August. German authorities have also linked a drone incident at Leipzig Airport, involving an explosives-laden device, to Russian intelligence operations, though Moscow has denied any involvement.
As of now, no airport closures, airspace restrictions, or travel advisories have been issued in Spain, France, or Italy. The warning describes a potential operation, not confirmed activity. Neither the CIA nor the governments of the three countries have officially confirmed the threat. While flights in southern Europe continue without interruption, the reports highlight how even small, low-cost drones can disrupt aviation networks, affecting thousands of passengers and airline operations.
