Danish government accused of mishandling drone incident as evidence remains absent

The Danish government has yet to present any evidence that drones were spotted over critical infrastructure in autumn 2025, despite high-profile claims of a “hybrid war,” according to a report by DR, Denmark’s national broadcaster.

In late September 2025, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen declared that drones had been observed near military and civilian sites, framing the incidents as deliberate attacks. “We must expect more of these,” she stated, while Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen described the situation as a “systematic operation.” Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard later compared the alleged drone activity to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, suggesting hybrid threats had become a permanent reality.

Though Russian involvement was strongly implied, authorities have since failed to provide proof that drones were ever present. Over six months later, experts and citizens remain without answers.

Experts question official narrative
Rasmus Dahlberg, an associate professor in societal security at Roskilde University, criticised the government’s lack of transparency. “As both a citizen and a researcher, I’m struck by the apparent disinterest from authorities in resolving this for the public,” he told DR’s documentary Drones Over Denmark. “After that chaotic week in September, we collectively need closure.”

Dahlberg noted that no credible documentation has surfaced to confirm the drone sightings. Without evidence, he cannot rule out the possibility that no drones existed at all. “If that’s the case, then the rhetoric—talking of attacks and invoking 9/11—means we effectively waged hybrid war against ourselves. We frightened the population, spread anxiety, and potentially eroded trust in institutions,” he said. “Ironically, I almost hope foreign drones were involved, because conducting hybrid war on ourselves would be the stupidest thing we could do.”

Other specialists share his scepticism. Toke Suhr, a drone expert and owner of droner.dk, admitted he lacks intelligence confirming the objects were drones. “I’ve been asked repeatedly what was flying overhead, but we don’t have the data. Nothing conclusively shows it was any kind of drone—or even a drone,” he said.

Major Karsten Marrup, head of the Centre for Air and Space Operations at the Danish Defence Academy, suggested some observations were misidentified aircraft. “Several reports turned out to be planes, not drones,” he stated.

Military fired at suspected drone—later linked to passenger flight
One unresolved incident involved the Danish Defence Force firing at what they believed was a drone over the Borris firing range. Internal documents obtained by DR reveal that during the shooting, a Widerøe passenger plane was flying from Bergen to Billund Airport, roughly 30 kilometres away. The aircraft’s description—fixed-wing, propeller-driven, with matching navigation lights—aligned closely with the “drone” reports.

While a Defence investigation concluded the gunfire posed no risk to the plane, which was at 2 kilometres altitude, Dahlberg called the episode “potentially wild.” “Fortunately, the plane was high enough to avoid danger—but this demands full clarification,” he said.

Calls for accountability and better detection
Dahlberg warned that the lack of answers risks undermining public trust. Marrup emphasised two critical gaps: Denmark lacks the capacity to detect unauthorised aerial objects and to respond if they pose a threat. “If these were hostile drones, we need the means to identify and intercept them,” he said.

The government has not addressed the discrepancies or provided updates since the initial allegations.