Drone alarm in Denmark

Mette Frederiksen: Need to strengthen response to Russia

Ahead of today's EU summit in Copenhagen, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen says in an interview with the Financial Times that NATO must strengthen its response to Russia's hybrid war.

She also says that deeper discussions are needed on how to respond to hostile acts such as airspace violations and sabotage.

- We need to be very open about the fact that this is probably just the beginning. We need all Europeans to understand what is at stake and what is going on. When there are drone or cyber attacks, the aim is to divide us, she says.

The interview comes after the latest drone alarms in Denmark, where many have pointed to Russia as responsible.

The Danish government has not made any such designation, but Frederiksen has previously pointed to Russia as the primary threat to Europe.

Suspected “shadow tanker” linked to drone alarm

France is investigating an oil tanker suspected of belonging to Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, reports AFP. According to specialist website The Maritime Executive, possible links to the drone alarm in Denmark are being investigated. The oil tanker may have been used, along with other ships, either as a launch platform or as a decoy, according to the website.

The oil tanker is the Benin-flagged oil tanker Boracay, which left Primorsk, Russia, on September 20 with Vadinar, India, as its official destination. The ship is now reported to be anchored off Saint-Nazaire, France.

The prosecutor says the investigation is based on the crew’s “inability to justify the ship’s nationality” and refusal to cooperate.