CIA warns of potential Russian drone attacks on Southern Europe

The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) warned that Russia is “planning drone attacks on Southern Europe.” Moscow may launch small drones from commercial vessels to strike infrastructure in Spain, Italy, and France.

The CIA warned several European governments of a potential Russian drone operation targeting Spain, France, or Italy, according to the Spanish newspaper El Mundo, citing diplomatic and security sources.

According to information obtained by the Lithuanian government, Russia may use “Gerbera” drones launched from commercial ships in the Mediterranean Sea, after being concealed inside shipping containers.

Lithuania, along with other countries, learned of this information shortly after CIA Director John Ratcliffe’s visit to Moscow on August 25.

The governments of Spain, France, and Italy were also informed that Russia may be preparing a drone operation against one of these countries.

This coincided with an exceptional move by French President Emmanuel Macron, who convened the Defense Council on September 16 and subsequently invited party leaders and presidential candidates for the 2027 election to the Élysée Palace.

A source close to the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense stated, “They will use drones launched from the sea, hidden inside shipping containers; this is not difficult at all.”

This information emerged amid rising tensions between Russia and European countries supporting Ukraine, with Moscow repeatedly asserting that supplying Kyiv with weapons, intelligence, and military advisors makes Western nations complicit in the war and legitimate targets.