CIA Warns Europe of Russian Drone Attacks from Mediterranean Ships

The CIA has warned several European governments that Russia may be preparing to launch attack drones from commercial ships in the Mediterranean toward NATO territory, according to a report by Spanish newspaper El Mundo. Spain, France, and Italy are identified as potential targets.

The drones would be concealed in standard shipping containers aboard merchant vessels and launched from the sea, allowing Russia to strike without firing from its own territory. Lithuanian defence sources told El Mundo the tactic is technically feasible.

“They are going to use drones launched from the sea, hidden in containers on board ships. It is not difficult at all.”

The Russian-made Gerbera drone, roughly two metres long with a 600-kilometre range and a 4-5 kilogram warhead, is cited as a likely platform. Its purpose would be symbolic disruption — such as closing an airport or starting fires — rather than mass destruction.

Western intelligence says the Kremlin has already tested sea-based drone launches. In February, a Swedish naval unit detected a drone launched from a Russian intelligence ship in the Oresund Strait, and Germany blamed Russian intelligence for a drone attack on Leipzig airport.