US INTELLIGENCE WARNS OF POSSIBLE RUSSIAN DRONE ATTACKS FROM THE MEDITERRANEAN
American intelligence agencies have reportedly warned several European governments that Russia may be preparing a covert drone operation against Spain, France or Italy, according to the Spanish newspaper El Mundo.
The reported plan would involve concealing Russian Gerbera drones inside cargo containers aboard merchant vessels before launching them from international waters in the Mediterranean. Such a method could allow Moscow to move a launch platform close to Europe without deploying an identifiable Russian warship.
The Gerbera is a lightweight and relatively inexpensive Russian drone that can serve as a decoy, reconnaissance aircraft or carrier for a small explosive payload. It can reportedly travel up to 600 kilometers at approximately 160 kilometers per hour, depending on its payload and flight conditions.
Launched from 200 to 300 kilometers offshore, a Gerbera could reach the European coastline in roughly 75 minutes to two hours. Even with a relatively small warhead, it could ignite fires, damage exposed equipment or temporarily shut down airports and seaports—creating fear and disruption far beyond the physical damage.
The warning was reportedly shared following CIA Director John Ratcliffe’s August 25 visit to Moscow. Several European diplomatic and defense sources told El Mundo that they were aware of a detailed intelligence assessment describing the potential operation
One Lithuanian source compared the alleged plan to Russia attempting its own version of Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb—the covert Ukrainian operation that moved drones deep inside Russia before launching them near strategic airfields. The difference is that Russia would be hiding military launch systems aboard vessels moving through one of the world’s busiest civilian shipping regions.
The operation has not happened, and the reported intelligence does not prove that Moscow has made a final decision to proceed. But Spain, France and Italy have reportedly been warned because the threat is considered credible enough to prepare for.
If Russia is hiding Gerbera drones inside cargo containers at sea, European intelligence had better find the ships before they launch. Moscow should also hope that Ukrainian long-range drones—or one of Ukraine’s Sea Baby naval drones—do not find them first.