US intelligence has warned several European governments that Russia could be preparing a drone operation against one of three southern European countries — Spain, France or Italy — according to Spanish newspaper El Mundo.
The alleged plan would involve launching drones from commercial vessels at sea, potentially allowing Russia to target European territory without relying on launches from its own borders.
The intelligence was reportedly shared with European governments following CIA Director John Ratcliffe’s visit to Moscow on Aug. 25. Sources cited by El Mundo said the Baltic states were briefed on the information and that European foreign ministries were working on a detailed report.
Gerbera drones could be used
According to Lithuanian sources cited by the newspaper, the drones under consideration could be Russian-made Gerbera unmanned aircraft.
The Gerbera is around two metres long, has a wingspan of approximately 2.5 metres and weighs up to 18 kilograms. It can reportedly reach speeds of around 160 kilometres per hour and has a maximum range of up to 600 kilometres, depending on its payload and weather conditions.
The drones could potentially be transported aboard merchant ships and launched from 200 to 300 kilometres offshore, according to the report. Their relatively small explosive payload would not necessarily be capable of destroying major infrastructure, but could cause fires, damage exposed equipment or temporarily disrupt airports and ports.
The potential objective, analysts told El Mundo, could therefore be less about large-scale physical destruction and more about creating economic and political disruption and demonstrating that Russia can strike targets deep inside Europe.
Growing concerns over Russian activity
The Wall Street Journal and Politico previously reported that Ratcliffe travelled to Moscow to warn the Kremlin against attacks or provocations targeting NATO. According to sources familiar with the intelligence, Spain, France and Italy were subsequently informed of a possible Russian drone operation against one of them.
The report also links the warning to heightened activity in France. President Emmanuel Macron convened France’s Defence Council on Sept. 16 and two days later brought together political party leaders and presidential candidates at the Élysée Palace.
Several defence analysts told El Mundo they were aware of a CIA report circulated among European governments that allegedly provided detailed information about the potential operation. French authorities were said to have taken the warning seriously.
British military analyst Keir Giles said Russia would not necessarily target countries closest to its borders.
“The target will be wherever Europe is most vulnerable,” Giles said, pointing to countries such as Spain and the UK, which he argued had not invested sufficiently in integrated air and missile defence systems.
Previous maritime drone tests
The possibility of Russia launching drones from ships is not entirely new. Ukrainian defence publication Defense Express reported last year that Gerbera drones could potentially be transported aboard vessels linked to Russia’s so-called shadow fleet and launched from international waters.
Russia has previously conducted tests involving drones launched from moving vessels. In 2020, Russian drone manufacturer Zala carried out demonstrations involving launches from a moving boat, while similar tests were reportedly conducted from a maritime platform in October 2024.
There have also been incidents in the Baltic Sea that have raised concerns. In February, a Swedish naval unit reportedly detected a drone taking off from the Russian electronic intelligence ship Zhigulevsk in the Øresund strait. Sweden jammed the drone’s signal and described the flight as a violation of its airspace.
On Sept. 14, a Russian warship also fired two emergency signal flares at a Danish military helicopter conducting routine surveillance in international waters in the Baltic Sea.
Potential targets and wider concerns
The report said Russian military-linked circles have increasingly discussed the southern Mediterranean as a potential route for threatening France. On Sept. 19, the influential Russian Telegram channel Rybar published a map of the Mediterranean suggesting that drones could potentially be supplied to Algeria and used against targets in southern France, including aerospace facilities, military bases, nuclear plants and petrochemical complexes.
Lithuanian intelligence sources told El Mundo that Russia’s increased activity could be linked to the damage caused to its energy sector by Ukrainian attacks. They said Moscow’s broader sabotage campaign could be aimed at weakening European support for Ukraine, creating divisions within NATO and increasing public anxiety.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has also warned of possible Russian drone or missile attacks against countries supporting Ukraine, while Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys said European countries should be prepared to prevent the consequences of any such operation.
The reported intelligence does not establish that an attack is imminent, but it reflects growing concern among European governments over Russia’s ability to conduct covert or disruptive operations far beyond its immediate borders.
Be First to Comment