Danish authorities are investigating three Russian-linked vessels suspected of launching drones that shut down Copenhagen Airport for nearly four hours on September 22. According to Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, the incident was “the most serious on Danish critical infrastructure to date.”
Danish intelligence suspects the drones may have been launched from one of three vessels previously under scrutiny for suspicious activity. Investigators are focusing on the Russian-flagged freighter Astrol 1, the tanker Pushpa (also known as Borocay, linked to Russia’s shadow fleet and falsely flagged to Malawi), and the Russian-crewed Oslo Carrier 3. AIS data showed unusual movements by Astrol 1 before the incident.
Authorities warn that proving involvement will be difficult, as launch equipment can be quickly discarded and personnel transferred between ships. Similar tactics have been used elsewhere, including in Iran.
This is the second time in a month that European officials have suspected commercial vessels of launching drones. On September 7, German police detained the cargo vessel Scanlark on suspicion of involvement in reconnaissance drone flights over critical maritime infrastructure.
