European leaders meet in high-security Danish summit after drone disruption

BBC:

EU leaders gather in Copenhagen on Wednesday under pressure to boost European defence after a series of Russian incursions into EU airspace, and days after drones targeted Danish airports.

The incursions have become most acute for countries on the EU’s eastern flank such as Poland and Estonia. Ten member states have already backed plans for a multi-layered “drone wall” to quickly detect, then track and destroy Russian drones.

Denmark has beefed up security ahead of the summit, banning all civilian drone flights until Friday and placing heavy restrictions on traffic in Copenhagen.

Despite the high security, there was little evidence of alarm in the centre of the capital ahead of the summit.

Denmark will also host a broader European Political Community summit on Thursday and international allies have lent support to ensure both events pass without incident.

Copenhagen airport, followed by several Danish airports and military sites on the Jutland peninsula, faced drone disruption last week.

Anti-drone and surveillance support has been brought in from Poland, the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden and the US. A German frigate has also docked in Copenhagen.

As host to dozens of European leaders over two days, Denmark will want to fend off any more unwelcome surprises in its air space.

Danish police have not found any evidence that Russia was behind last week’s drone disruption, which caused no injuries, but the government has blamed a “professional actor”. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has said there is “primarily one country that poses a threat to Europe’s security – that is Russia”.

Sweden’s prime minister Ulf Kristersson also said “everything points to [Russia]”.