Crime

Drone Sightings Force Copenhagen, Oslo Airport Closures

Published SEP 23 2025

Story

Above: Flights in Copenhagen and Oslo were canceled due to large drone sightings, causing air traffic to be blocked and causing issues for travelers, on Sept. 23, 2025. Image credit: Steffen Trumpf/Getty Images

The Facts

Copenhagen Airport, the busiest in the Nordic region, suspended all takeoffs and landings for nearly four hours on Monday night after two or three large unidentified drones were spotted flying in the area around 8:26 p.m. local time.
BBC News
The Telegraph
Oslo Airport in Norway also closed its airspace from midnight local time for approximately four hours after drone sightings, with all incoming flights diverted to the nearest airports during the closure period.
The New York Times
Jerusalem Post
Danish police described the drone operation as conducted by a "capable operator" who flew the drones from multiple directions while turning lights on and off before the aircraft disappeared after several hours of activity.
Dw.Com
Daily Mail
The airport closures resulted in approximately 50 flights being diverted to alternate airports, including facilities in Sweden and other Danish cities, affecting around 20,000 passengers, with continued delays expected.
South China Morning Post
Daily Mail
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen characterized the incident as "the most serious attack on Danish critical infrastructure to date" and stated authorities were not ruling out any possibilities regarding responsibility.
Dw.Com
The Telegraph
Both airports reopened in the early hours of Tuesday morning, with Copenhagen resuming operations around 12:30 a.m. (local time) and Oslo Airport reopening around 3:22 a.m. (local time) after investigations.
CNN
Sky News

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

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PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

This sophisticated drone operation bears all the hallmarks of Russian hybrid warfare tactics designed to test NATO defenses and create chaos. The timing coincides perfectly with recent Russian airspace violations across Poland, Romania and Estonia, suggesting a coordinated campaign to probe Western responses. The "capable operator" description and multi-directional approach demonstrate military-grade coordination that goes far beyond civilian capabilities.

The Moscow Times

Newsweek

Narrative B

Danish authorities took prudent action by closing the airport upon receiving reports of drones in the area. The police determined that the operators likely intended to "show off" their capabilities rather than cause any harm. An investigation found no immediate link between the incidents in Copenhagen and Oslo. As of now, officials have not made any arrests related to the drone incidents, and it's important not to jump to any broader conclusions.