German police spotted 15 drones over Düren near the Belgian border on Thursday night, raising questions about intrusions near the Elsenborn military base.
Drones Over Belgium
According to defense analyst Jens Franssen quoted by VRT NWS, German police in Düren near the German‑Belgian border spotted 15 drones that were reportedly flying above the Elsenborn military base before entering German airspace. The station also reported that a Belgian aircraft monitored the drones.
The Ministry of Defence is investigating where the drones originated and who operated them. Franssen described the incident as “very strange”, noting that Elsenborn has little espionage activity and that a more obvious target would be the Kleine‑Brogel airbase that stores U.S. nuclear weapons. Elsenborn is an 28‑km² training camp in eastern Belgium.
Odd Incident
Experts highlight the lack of clarity regarding the drones’ source and operator, underscoring the unusual nature of the incident amidst the typically low‑conspiracy environment of the Elsenborn base.
Incident in Munich
At night, drones appeared over Munich airport, leading to the cancellation of flights and the rerouting of air traffic. The police spokesperson reported drones were seen near the airport around 21:30 on Thursday and again an hour later, prompting the closing of both runways.
Police helicopters were dispatched, though details on the drones’ type and number remain undisclosed.
Zelenski Calls for Joint Action Against Russian Drones
During a European Community of Nations summit in Copenhagen, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenski urged European leaders to unite against Russian drones. He said Russia’s strikes target not only Ukraine but also European states, citing recent incidents involving Russian drones.
Zelenski added that Ukrainian forces are ready to share experience in shooting down combat drones and that this cooperation marks the first step toward a continental anti‑drone defense shield. He noted that skilled Ukrainian soldiers already stationed in Denmark are actively engaged in detecting and downing Russian drones.
