EUROPE — On February 27, the Swedish Armed Forces announced that a Russian drone had been observed launching from the signals intelligence vessel Zhigulevsk while transiting the Öresund Strait.
The incident took place during the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle’s port call in Malmö, prompting immediate action from a Swedish Navy patrol vessel to disrupt the drone’s operations. The Zhigulevsk, which had entered Swedish territorial waters under international transit rules, was escorted out and proceeded into the Baltic Sea.
This event marks a notable maritime security occurrence in a strategically vital waterway connecting the Baltic Sea to the North Sea, involving NATO allies Sweden and France. The French carrier’s visit, part of routine NATO exercises, began on February 24 and included high-level diplomatic engagements.
Swedish officials linked the drone directly to the Russian ship. French and Swedish leaders addressed the matter during a joint visit to the carrier, highlighting concerns over potential provocations in European waters.
