The Irish Times reported that five unidentified drones were observed near President Volodymyr Zelensky’s aircraft in Dublin on December 1, raising serious suspicions they were launched from a ship in the Irish Sea.
New reports
The Irish Times learned that, during Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Dublin, five unidentified drones were seen as the Ukrainian president’s aircraft was landing. Analysts say the drones were likely fired from a vessel in the Irish Sea, not from land.
Satellite data released by the newspaper showed a 64‑metre ship roughly 36 kilometres off the Dublin coast in the hours leading up to the arrival. The vessel had not activated its Automatic Identification System (AIS), a breach of maritime regulation that rendered it invisible to ship‑tracking systems but detectable on satellite imagery.
Sentinel‑1A also detected two additional vessels that lacked transponders; these were Irish Navy ships escorting the presidential visit. Due to rules of engagement and the risk of striking civilian aircraft, the navy decided not to open fire. The Russian Embassy in Dublin dismissed all accusations, describing the claims as rumors and insinuations.
Investigation opened
Irish police are investigating several unidentified drones seen on 1 December around Dublin Airport during the landing of President Zelensky’s aircraft. European airports have been on heightened readiness for months, occasionally detecting unidentified drones near airports and other strategic sites.
There are reasonable suspicions that these disturbances are part of Russian hybrid warfare, employed for three and a half years since the Ukraine invasion.
The first report of drones over Dublin Airport came from the Irish newspaper The Journal. Military drones reportedly spotted an Irish naval vessel while Dublin was under a flight‑restriction zone. A police statement said the Special Detective Unit will lead the investigation in cooperation with the armed forces and international security partners.