Germany reports multiple drone groups spotted in northern regions, likely spying on infrastructure
Unidentified drones were spotted in northern Germany in late September, Der Spiegel reported on Wednesday, citing an internal report from a German government agency.
The drones, which were seen in the state of Schleswig-Holstein, were likely conducting surveillance of critical infrastructure, according to the newspaper.
The report states that at around 9:00 p.m. on September 25, two small drones were seen flying over a naval shipyard operated by the industrial conglomerate Thyssenkrupp, which manufactures military vessels. Shortly afterward, a group of drones was reported over an unnamed university hospital, and around 10:00 p.m., more drones were spotted over a coastal power plant.
Additionally, a large drone and several smaller ones were seen flying over the bay in Schleswig-Holstein’s capital, Kiel, as well as over the state’s parliament building.
Local police determined that the drone groups followed parallel flight paths and believe the objective was to survey or gather information on targets on the ground. The drones reportedly flew from east to west over wide sections of the Kiel Canal, which links the Baltic and North Seas.
Schleswig-Holstein Interior Minister Sabine Sütterlin-Waack said last week that the ministry was investigating the drone activity for possible espionage or sabotage.
The report also says that on September 25, suspicious drones were observed over a German military base in the town of Sanitz in the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The following day, drones were spotted near the headquarters of the German Navy in Rostock. Then, on September 20, police again detected suspicious drones near the port terminal in Rostock. The document notes that the drones appeared to be flying in a “coordinated and synchronized” manner. Authorities have so far been unable to identify the drones’ operators.
