Classified report: Drones that flew over and closed Munich airport were military reconnaissance drones, according to Bild

Classified report: Drones that flew over and closed Munich airport were military reconnaissance drones, according to Bild

Munich Airport was temporarily shut down overnight after several drone sightings in the area, the latest in a series of mysterious drone overflights in European Union member countries. According to a classified report by German publication Bild, the drones that flew over and closed Munich Airport were identified as military reconnaissance drones .

The incident, which occurred on Thursday, led to the suspension of flights and the grounding of 17 flights, affecting nearly 3,000 passengers. Flights resumed at 5 a.m. local time after the airport operators declared the area safe. The drone sightings prompted federal police to deploy helicopters and other means to track down the drones, but no signs of them were found .

This is not the first time that drones have disrupted air traffic in Europe. Similar incidents have occurred in Denmark and Norway, raising concerns about potential attacks on Ukraine's allies and possible involvement by Russia. European leaders have expressed concerns that these drone incursions could be part of a broader strategy to test NATO's defenses and sow division and anxiety in European societies .

In response to these incidents, European Union leaders met in Copenhagen this week to discuss bolstering the bloc's anti-drone defenses. The summit came amid ongoing Russian military operations in Ukraine and repeated incursions into NATO airspace. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen highlighted the need for a strong European response to these threats .

The Russian government has denied any involvement in the drone incidents, but the classification of the Munich Airport drones as military reconnaissance suggests a more sinister origin. The drones' advanced capabilities and the coordinated nature of the attacks point to a sophisticated operation, potentially involving military intelligence agencies .

The incident at Munich Airport underscores the growing threat posed by drones to European security and the need for enhanced measures to protect critical infrastructure. As the use of drones in military operations continues to evolve, European authorities must remain vigilant and prepared to counter these emerging threats .