A suspected Russian drone near Charles de Gaulle was reported on 26 February 2026, as the French Navy’s aircraft carrier was docked in Malmö, Sweden, during a NATO-linked port visit. According to Swedish and French media, the unmanned aircraft was detected at an estimated distance of around 10 kilometres from the port. The Swedish Armed Forces responded by deploying electronic countermeasures, after which the drone disappeared from the area. It remains unclear whether the device crashed into the sea or returned to its point of origin.
Drone reportedly launched from a nearby Russian vessel
Broadcaster SVT reported that the drone may have taken off from a Russian vessel operating close to Malmö, potentially linked to the so-called “dark fleet” often used for discreet maritime operations. The drone then moved toward the aircraft carrier before being intercepted. While the exact type and mission of the drone remain unknown, the incident highlights growing concerns over naval security and surveillance activities in the Baltic Sea, where NATO naval presence has increased in recent months.
Strategic signalling amid rising NATO-Russia tensions
If confirmed, the Malmö incident would represent a rare public example of counter-drone activity near a carrier strike group. It follows other recent drone-related security events in Europe and reflects a broader pattern of strategic signalling and grey-zone tactics rather than direct confrontation. As NATO strengthens cooperation in Northern Europe, such episodes underline the evolving challenges faced by naval forces operating in contested maritime environments.
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