IISS links Russia to Europe-wide drone incursions, including UK base flights
A new IISS report argues it is highly likely Russia conducted a Europe-wide UAV campaign from Aug 2024 to Feb 2026, using Russian-linked vessels and a “shadow fleet” to launch drones at NATO bases including U.S. installations in England (RAF Lakenheath, Mildenhall, Fairford, Feltwell). The analysis relies on circumstantial evidence and open-source data, considers Orlan-10 and other platforms with deniability options, and notes that no government has publicly tied a vessel to a specific incident. UK MoD and USAFE confirmed drone activity but have not identified suspects, underscoring the ongoing investigations.
