US intelligence warns Europe of possible Russian drone attacks: Report
The alert said the drones could be hidden in containers aboard merchant ships and used to disrupt airports, ports and military sites.
- US intelligence warned Spain, France, and Italy on Thursday that Russia may be preparing to launch Gerbera drones from merchant vessels in the Mediterranean, according to Spanish daily El Mundo citing sources familiar with the alert.
- CIA Director John Ratcliffe's unannounced visit to Moscow on August 25, 2026, preceded the warnings, with European governments reportedly briefed on a detailed assessment shortly after his return.
- The Russian-made Gerbera measures roughly 2 meters long with a 2.5-meter wingspan and carries a 4-to-5-kilogram explosive payload; analysts say it fits easily inside shipping containers for maritime launch.
- Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto disputed the report on Thursday, stating the alarm remains unconfirmed, while France also denied receiving such a warning from US intelligence.
- With elections scheduled for 2027 in Spain, France, and Italy, analysts argue these nations are attractive targets for hybrid operations designed to exploit public fatigue over Ukraine and stoke political division.
384 Articles
384 Articles
Russian drone threat: CIA warns of attacks from
VIENNA — European nations have been alerted by the CIA about a potential Russian scheme to deploy Gerbera-type drones from commercial ships in the Mediterranean, according to recent findings. The Spanish newspaper El Mundo reported this development, citing information from an unnamed Lithuanian intelligence insider, late on Wednesday evening. The report suggests that the CIA ... L’article CIA Alert: Russian Drone Attacks from Mediterranean Vess…
ANALYSIS | Putin appears to be eyeing NATO. The question is, will he actually attack?
European military experts warn that Russia is actively planning targeted aggression against NATO to test alliance solidarity. Recent high-alert incidents include a foiled explosive drone plot at a German airport and a strike near the Ukraine-Poland border targeting European VIPs. However, officials are deeply split on the immediacy of a conventional threat.
It is questionable whether the fortifications in the age of rocket, drone and cyber attacks are the right recipe.
European intelligence services warn against attacks by Russia against NATO states, even a limited ground offensive is not to be ruled out. Will the war soon come to Europe? profile has asked four experts for their assessments.
As wars increase about a Russian attack on a NATO country, real-world war-games, when played out around a conference table or on the ground as military
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 35% of the sources are Center, 35% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
