As reported by various sources, the German Navy has sent a frigate to Copenhagen to bolster air defense during an EU summit focused on Ukraine’s funding. Since September 22, Denmark’s military has noted increased drone activity over key installations, particularly after a swarm of drones disrupted operations at Copenhagen’s main airport.
The frigate Hamburg, part of NATO’s Baltic Sentry maritime security initiative, was redirected from its patrol in the central Baltic Sea to dock in Copenhagen’s Langelinie district. This area is adjacent to the historic Kastellet fortress and serves as a strategic location for monitoring aerial threats.
Hamburg is classified as a Sachsen-class air defense frigate and is armed with advanced missile systems including SM-2 and Sea Sparrow surface-to-air missiles. With these capabilities, Hamburg can establish an air defense perimeter extending up to 90 nautical miles. Given that the main airport lies just six nautical miles south of her position, she can effectively engage any potential threats within that range.
Alongside deploying Hamburg, Germany is also supplying Denmark with unspecified counter-drone technologies during this critical EU meeting.
To enhance security measures and facilitate target identification amidst rising drone sightings, Denmark has implemented a temporary ban on all civilian drone flights from September 29 through October 3. Offenders could face severe penalties including fines or imprisonment for up to two years. Transport Minister Thomas Danielsen emphasized the need for heightened security given recent disturbances caused by foreign drones while hosting EU leaders.
On the day this ban took effect, Danish military officials reported additional drone sightings near military bases. Authorities suspect these incursions are orchestrated by a well-resourced operator but have not publicly identified any suspects—though they have not dismissed potential Russian involvement either.
The Russian military stands out as one of the most adept users of drone technology globally; its operations in Ukraine have sharpened these skills significantly. Recent weeks have seen Russia probing NATO airspace along its eastern borders—a situation that will be addressed at this week’s EU summit in Copenhagen where discussions will revolve around responses to such violations and strategies for supporting Ukraine against ongoing aggression from Russia.
Circumstantial evidence suggests possible Russian links to recent drone activities in Copenhagen: three vessels believed to be involved are connected with Russia in varying degrees. Investigative reports indicate that one vessel—the Norwegian-owned Oslo Carrier 3—has ties with RSB Group, a paramilitary organization operating out of Kaliningrad which maintains close connections with Kremlin-affiliated entities.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed concerns about what he termed Russia’s “shadow fleet” potentially facilitating covert operations across Europe following incidents like those observed in Copenhagen: “This incident underscores why we must restrict access for Russian tankers—especially those operating under less scrutiny,” he stated recently.
