Denmark has banned all civilian drone flights this week ahead of a European Union summit in Copenhagen, the country's transport minister said on Sunday.
The ministry said the decision was made in order to simplify security work for the police, emphasizing that they could not accept foreign drones creating uncertainty and disruption.
Denmark is one of several European countries that have reported drone incidents in recent weeks, including drones sighted above Danish military sites as recently as Saturday.
Defence ministers from ten EU countries have agreed to create a drone wall in response to the sightings, and NATO has announced enhanced vigilance across the Baltic region.
The transport ministry's statement indicated that police are on significantly increased alert leading up to this week's summit, underlining their responsibility to protect both Danes and their guests.
The ban will remain in effect until October 3rd, with potential violations leading to fines or imprisonment of up to two years.
Denmark, currently holding the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, has seen unidentified drones causing disturbances, including airport closures in Copenhagen and Oslo, along with suspensions at Aalborg and Billund airports last week.
Investigators have yet to identify those responsible for the drone flights, with the defence minister referring to it as a hybrid attack amidst concerns of a systematic operation. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated that authorities are exploring the possibility of Russian involvement, a claim the Kremlin has firmly dismissed.
This event aligns with heightened tension in Europe, where countries like Estonia, Poland, Norway, and Romania have also reported drone-related incidents, with serious implications for national security.