Sixty electronic warfare specialists from the Royal Air Force (RAF) have been sent to the American bases on British soil due to the suspicious presence of drones near the military facilities since last week. The official investigation has not determined who may be behind the incidents, although it is not ruled out that it may be related to possible sabotage operations possibly carried out by Russia against infrastructures in the Baltic countries, Germany, and the United Kingdom in recent months.
"We can confirm that there were sightings last night and that the number and frequency have varied between the bases in recent days," read an official statement issued by a spokesperson for the US forces in Europe. The incidents occurred at three bases in eastern England: Lakenheath, Mildenhall, and Feltwell.
The sightings date back to November 20, amid the missile crisis due to the authorization for Ukraine to use ATACSM and Storm Shadow missiles on Russian soil. Although the drones were identified as non-hostile, military authorities warned that their activity is still "monitored for the security of the facilities and personnel."
Sources close to the investigation opened by the US military told The Times that the handling of the drones appears to be "coordinated" and does not seem to be the work of "amateurs," although it is premature to attribute responsibility to external actors.
British specialists have joined the investigation and the activation of the anti-drone system known as Ninja, which includes the ability to interfere with communications up to seven kilometers away and force a change in their route or the return of the drones to their base. The system also includes a device called Guardian, which functions as an electronic rifle and is capable of shooting down drones identified as hostile up to 10 kilometers away.
The use of drones is becoming increasingly common in the Ukraine war. Last Monday, the Russian army used 188 unmanned aerial vehicles (as they are technically known) in a single attack. Drone sightings have also become common in the Baltic countries.
Last Friday, a mysterious drone was also spotted over the British aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth at the entrance to the port of Hamburg. According to the tabloid Bild, German military personnel were about to shoot down the device before it disappeared at the last moment.
MI5 Director Ken McCallum warned in October that Russian intelligence services "are on a mission to create a sustained case on British and European streets."
The drone alert has also coincided with the latest diplomatic altercation between London and Moscow. Russia expelled a British diplomat this week alleging "subversive espionage activities." The Kremlin also announced the ban on the entry into Russian soil of the Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, and the Treasury Secretary, Rachel Reeves.