US intelligence has warned European governments of a possible Russian drone operation targeting Spain, France and Italy with drones launched from merchant ships in the Mediterranean, Spanish newspaper El Mundo reported.
The newspaper said the drones could be hidden inside shipping containers on board vessels before being launched at sea, citing sources familiar with the intelligence and an unnamed source close to Lithuania’s Defence Ministry. Several defence analysts told El Mundo they were aware of a CIA report that had been circulated among European foreign ministries.
“They will use drones launched from the sea, hidden in a ship’s container. It’s not difficult at all,” a Lithuanian defence source told El Mundo.
The report mentioned Russia’s Gerbera drone as a possible weapon. The aircraft is approximately 2 metres long with a wingspan of approximately 2.5 metres and a claimed range of up to 600 kilometres.
The report says the drones would not necessarily be meant to cause large-scale destruction. Instead of starting fires, damaging equipment or temporarily disrupting airports and ports, their relatively small explosive payload could be used.
As of Thursday, the CIA and the governments of Spain, France and Italy had not publicly confirmed the reported warning.
