Kremlin Dismisses German Politician's Claims of Russian Drone Involvement in European Airport Disruptions

Kremlin Rejects 'Baseless' Accusations

The Kremlin has strongly refuted allegations made by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who suggested that Russia was responsible for a series of drone flights that have caused significant disruptions at European airports. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed Merz's claims as 'baseless,' 'unsubstantiated,' and 'indiscriminate,' stating that 'Russia should not be blamed without evidence.'

German Chancellor Links Russia to Drone Incursions

On Sunday, Friedrich Merz, a prominent German politician, asserted that Germany 'assumes that Russia is behind most of these drone flights.' He characterized the frequency of these incursions into European airspace as 'unprecedented, even compared to the Cold War era.' Merz described the drones as being on 'reconnaissance flights' and 'unarmed,' suggesting their purpose was 'intelligence-gathering' and to 'unsettle the public.' He further accused Russia of waging a 'hybrid war' against Europe.

Widespread Airport Disruptions Across Europe

The accusations follow multiple incidents of unidentified drone sightings, most notably at Munich Airport. The airport experienced two consecutive closures last Thursday and Friday (October 2-3, 2025), leading to the cancellation or diversion of numerous flights and affecting up to 10,000 passengers. Beyond Munich, drones were also reported near Frankfurt Airport, over an ammunition depot, and a police base in Gifhorn. Similar disruptions have been reported in other European countries, including:

• Denmark
• Norway
• Poland
• Estonia
• Romania
• Lithuania

These incidents have prompted calls for enhanced security measures and investigations across the continent.

Kremlin's Firm Rebuttal and European Reactions

Dmitry Peskov reiterated that 'the whole story about these drones is strange, to say the least,' but maintained that 'there are no grounds to accuse Russia of this.' He suggested that 'many politicians in Europe are inclined to apportion blame' without sufficient evidence. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also mocked Merz's claims. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev commented that the drone disruptions could serve as a warning of potential conflict in Europe, though he dismissed the idea of pro-Russian actors being involved.

In response to the escalating situation, Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder advocated for police authorization to shoot down unidentified drones. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt described the sightings as an 'arms race' requiring urgent action. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius cautioned against a hasty military response, suggesting it could play into a 'trap' set by Vladimir Putin. The European Commission has even proposed the creation of a 'drone wall' along the EU's eastern border to counter such threats.