The CIA has warned European countries about a suspected Russian plan to launch drones from commercial ships in the Mediterranean, with Spain, France and Italy named as possible targets, Spanish newspaper El Mundo reported.
The plan reportedly involves hiding Gerbera drones inside shipping containers and launching them from vessels in international waters.
The drones could reach the coast within one or two hours, according to the newspaper, which cited an anonymous Lithuanian intelligence source.
The report has not been confirmed. There is no confirmation that Russia has started preparing for such an attack or that any commercial vessel has been involved.
European countries face growing concerns over Russian drone activity, sabotage and other forms of hybrid warfare.
The possible use of commercial ships to launch attacks could also create new security concerns for Mediterranean ports and coastal infrastructure.
El Mundo published its report late Wednesday, September 23, citing an anonymous Lithuanian intelligence source and other unnamed diplomatic and defence sources.
According to the newspaper, Lithuania and other European countries were informed of the suspected threat shortly after CIA Director John Ratcliffe made an unannounced visit to Moscow aboard a US military aircraft on August 25.
The newspaper reported that a CIA assessment was circulating among European leaders and foreign ministries by mid-September. Several unnamed defence analysts also told El Mundo they knew of a report describing a possible attack.
The report also referred to recent political meetings in France. President Emmanuel Macron convened the Defence Council on September 16. Two days later, he met political party leaders and candidates for the 2027 presidential election at the Élysée Palace.
However, the report did not establish whether these meetings were linked to the suspected drone threat.
El Mundo suggested that Spain, France and Italy could be targeted partly because all three have campaigns or elections scheduled for next year. It also referred to the presence of what it called “radical forces” that could take advantage of public fatigue over Ukraine.
According to El Mundo, the suspected plan involves transporting Gerbera drones inside containers aboard commercial ships.
The drones would reportedly be launched from international waters using catapults.
The Gerbera was selected because of its small size, which makes it easier to hide. It has a wingspan of about 2.5 metres.
The drone has a maximum range of 600 kilometres, depending on its payload and weather conditions. It can carry around four to five kilograms and fly at approximately 160 km/h.
Per reports, an explosive-laden drone could start a fire, damage exposed equipment or temporarily close a port or airport.
The reported plan has raised concerns about the use of commercial ships for military operations.
European policymakers have previously considered whether Russian merchant vessels could be used to support drone operations.
Sightings of unidentified drones near European coastlines have sometimes coincided with the presence of Russian shadow fleet ships, according to the report.
In February, a Swedish Navy vessel detected and jammed a drone taking off from a Russian intelligence ship in the Öresund Strait.
The incident took place during a visit by the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to Sweden.
Russian drones have repeatedly entered airspace along NATO’s eastern flank. In several cases, NATO fighter jets have shot down unmanned aircraft that entered allied airspace.
A year ago, 19 unarmed Russian drones entered Polish airspace in what was described as the largest such violation at the time.
The incident was widely seen as a deliberate provocation and a test of NATO’s response.
In early August, an explosive-laden drone was found near a Ukrainian cargo aircraft. In a separate incident, an aircraft collided with a drone at Leipzig airport in Germany, a major freight hub.
German authorities officially blamed Russia for the incident after a month-long investigation.
References: Defence News, Independent