A Russian drone has been spying on research and defense sites in northern Italy near Ispra for a week, local media outlet Corriere della Sera reports. The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) made five flights over the European Commission’s Joint Research Center (JRC) in that area.
The JRC is the scientific and knowledge service of the European Union and the body’s third largest research complex in that field.
After Brussels and Luxembourg it has been operating for over 65 years, and specializes in nuclear research, security, space, sustainable development, and transportation.
“The [reconnaissance drone] operator seemed to focus mainly on the JRC area, where advanced laboratories and research infrastructure are located,” the report said.
The drone was detected by the research center using its own experimental surveillance system.
“The possibility that the drone was conducting reconnaissance or specifically targeting the JRC raises serious concerns,” the report said.
Experts believe the drone may be equipped with high-tech cameras and equipment capable of detailed night surveillance, three-dimensional mapping, and monitoring critical infrastructure.
A few dozen kilometers from the observation area, several important strategic sites of Leonardo, the company developing aviation and space technologies, are located.
The closest of these is the Helicopter Training Academy in Sesto Calende, just over 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) away. Also, nearby is a helicopter unit in Vergiate, where modern military and civilian aircraft are produced.
It is unclear whether the drone also flew over other strategic sites in the region. Italian intelligence services are investigating the origin of the drone and the purpose of its flights.
Last August, Swedish authorities warned of an increased risk of Russian sabotage, as Kremlin-linked spies had been increasingly deploying drones over defense sites.
In December, Russian drones were spotted over Germany, including the U.S.-run Ramstein Air Base and other critical locations. Since late November, drones have also been spotted over BASF factories near Ludwigshafen and Rheinmetall facilities.
In January, Danish police reported investigating about 20 drones seen over the Køge port, southwest of Copenhagen.
Cover: European Commission
