Sweden confirms Russian drone intercepted near French aircraft carrier
Al Jazeera
February 28, 2026
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Swedish forces have confirmed that a Russian drone was intercepted near a French aircraft carrier in Swedish waters, sparking diplomatic tensions between Russia and its allies. The incident occurred in the Oresund Strait as France’s Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier was visiting the region. Sweden’s military observed the drone launching from a Russian signals intelligence ship, identified as the "Zhigulevsk," and took countermeasures to neutralize it. Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson described the incident as a breach of Swedish airspace and access regulations, emphasizing that Russia’s actions were unauthorized and provocative.
The drone was disabled by the Swedish navy vessel HMS Rapp using technical equipment approximately 13 kilometers from the French carrier. Sweden accused the Russian ship of failing to comply with transit regulations in Swedish waters. The incident occurred during a NATO exercise involving the French carrier and its escort ships, which had docked in Malmö earlier in the week. France condemned the act as a “ridiculous provocation,” while Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson suggested the timing was unlikely to be accidental, aligning it with Russian behavior observed elsewhere.
The Baltic Sea region has become increasingly tense, with NATO member states reporting a surge in unauthorized drone activity attributed to Russia. This latest incident highlights growing concerns over regional security and Moscow’s potential use of drones as a tool for provocation. Although the French government emphasized that the drone was neutralized safely and posed no threat to the aircraft carrier, the situation underscores the volatile nature of military operations near NATO assets.
Russia has denied any wrongdoing, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissing the allegations as “absurd.” The incident adds to broader tensions in the region, where NATO countries are increasingly vigilant against potential threats. As global attention remains focused on Ukraine and Russia’s activities, this development underscores the risks of escalation in Europe’s northern waters.
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/28/2026