CIA warns of Russian drone attack plot on Mediterranean states

Summarised from 5 outlets · 6 reports · Updated 25 Sept, 16:34 · Archive

US intelligence agencies have warned of a potential Russian operation to launch drone strikes on Spain, France or Italy.

According to Spanish newspaper El Mundo, the CIA produced a detailed report warning of possible Russian drone attacks on Mediterranean tourist destinations, potentially using unmanned aircraft launched from merchant ships. Lithuania suggested Russia could target critical infrastructure including ports and airports. French President Emmanuel Macron denied that the CIA had informed French services of such a warning. Multiple outlets reported the alleged plot as Russia potentially broadening pressure on NATO countries beyond eastern Europe and the Baltic region.

How it is being reported

• Moment Nato jets intercept Russian warplanes over Gulf of Finland amid growing fears Putin is plotting attack on EuropeThe Baltic Sea region, of which the Gulf of Finland is part, is on high alert after incidents involving gas pipeline outages, airspace violations and drone sightings.Daily Mail · 25 Sept, 10:45
• Vladimir Putin 'plotting to cripple European holiday hotspots with drone attacks from the sea'Vladimir Putin is plotting to target European holiday hotspots with drone attacks from the sea, the CIA is said to have warned. Russia is believed to be turning its attention to the Mediterranean and western Europe after targeting eastern Europe and the Baltic states. Spanish newspaper El Mundo claims Moscow is weighing up a move to target key infrastructure, including airports, using drones launched from merchant ships at sea. Launching the aircraft from container ships could allow Mr Putin's drones to reach all of eastern Spain - including Madrid - as well as Andalucia. TRENDING Stories…GB News · 25 Sept, 06:23
• Macron says 'CIA did not inform French services' of possible Russian drone attacksFrench President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday denied a report by Spanish newspaper El Mundo that the US Central Intelligence Agency had warned European governments of a possible Russian drone attack from the Mediterranean. He also said in a primetime TV interview that France will send troops and defence systems to Saudi Arabia to help protect the Red Sea port city of Yanbu.France 24 · 24 Sept, 21:38
• CIA warns Russia is preparing attacks on Spain, France or Italy with drones from the sea: reportLithuania says Russia could try to broaden its pressure on Nato countries through attacks on critical infrastructure including ports or airportsIndependent World · 24 Sept, 11:49
• Putin 'plots drone strikes on Mediterranean tourist destinations' as holidaymakers put on alertSpain, France or Italy could be attacked using drones launched from merchant ships, a US intelligence source has saidThe Mirror · 24 Sept, 08:29
• Putin's Mediterranean 'drone attack plot': US spies 'warn Russia is planning strikes on Italy, Spain and France with UAVs hidden on merchant ships'According to the Spanish newspaper, US agencies produced a detailed report warning of a possible Russian operation against the three tourist hotspots.Daily Mail · 24 Sept, 08:00

In this story: Russia · Spain · France · Italy · CIA · Emmanuel Macron · Lithuania · El Mundo

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log