Three Germans arrested in Norway over drone incident – Bild

A Chinese national has also been deported for flying a UAV near an airport, police have said

Three Germans have been arrested in Norway for allegedly launching a drone in a prohibited zone around an airport, Bild has reported. 

The outlet cited local media as saying the three men were detained on Tuesday and released shortly afterwards. It did not identify the men or the type of UAV involved in the incident near Rossvoll Airport. 

Separately, Norwegian police confirmed that a Chinese national was deported and fined 12,000 kroner ($1,200) after allegedly flying a drone near Svolvaer Airport in the north of the country. Authorities said they are continuing to investigate multiple reports of drone activity near airports, military facilities and other critical infrastructure.

The incidents come as Western Europe has been plagued by repeated drone sightings in recent weeks, forcing temporary shutdowns at several airports. In Belgium, authorities confirmed that 15 drones were detected above the Elsenborn military base in Liege Province. Munich Airport in Germany was temporarily closed on Friday after unidentified drones were reported in its airspace. Scandinavian airports have also reported incursions.

Western media and officials have suggested that Russia is behind the drone incidents. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson claimed it is “quite probable” Moscow is responsible, although he admitted this has not been proven. European leaders have cited the incidents as justification for boosting military spending and creating a so-called “drone wall.”

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Moscow has rejected any connection to the incidents. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov described the accusations as Western fearmongering used to whip up anti-Russian hysteria. Russian officials have argued that such claims are intended to justify inflated military budgets and escalate tensions.

Speaking at the Valdai Forum on Thursday, President Vladimir Putin said Russia does not even have drones capable of reaching the countries in question and insisted there are no military targets for Moscow in Europe. He called the accusations another attempt by the West to escalate the situation around the Ukraine conflict.

Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has also warned that Kiev could attempt to stage drone provocations as false-flag operations designed to blame Moscow and draw NATO into direct conflict with Russia.