German authorities are investigating a series of unidentified drone flights over sensitive military and industrial sites, including the US Ramstein Air Base in Rhineland-Palatinate state. The incidents come amid heightened concerns about Russian espionage following the ongoing war in Ukraine, though authorities have not yet attributed the drone flights to any specific actor.
A police spokesman in Rhineland-Palatinate confirmed the drone sightings to AFP, stating that the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were first detected over the Ludwigshafen plant of BASF, the world's largest chemical complex. Subsequently, drones were observed over Ramstein Air Base earlier this week, specifically on December 3rd and 4th, according to Der Spiegel magazine.
The drones, described as larger than typical hobbyist models, were spotted at dusk. A special investigative unit has been established to probe the incidents, though authorities maintain there is no immediate threat to the affected facilities.
Der Spiegel also reported, citing security services, that unidentified drones were observed near facilities belonging to German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall. A source confirmed to AFP that suspicious drone activity was detected near Rheinmetall's primary ammunition production site in Unterluess, Lower Saxony.
These incidents follow similar reports in August of unidentified drones flying over the Bruensbuettel industrial area in Schleswig-Holstein, home to a chemical park and a nuclear waste storage facility. At the time, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock expressed concerns about potential reconnaissance activities, though a recent ARD broadcaster report indicated that investigations into the Bruensbuettel sightings haven't revealed evidence of espionage.
While no direct link to Russia has been established in these recent cases, German officials have repeatedly warned about the threat of Russian spying and "hybrid warfare" tactics, including sabotage and disinformation campaigns, particularly in the lead-up to the February general elections. The ongoing investigation aims to determine the origin and purpose of these drone flights.
