Get you up to speed: Seven mystery drones swarm above European nuclear power plant | News World
At least seven drones were spotted near the Gösgen nuclear power plant in Switzerland, prompting a large police response. The plant’s safety was not compromised, and officials stated the threat posed by the drones was ‘negligible’.
Swiss authorities are investigating the drone sightings near the Gösgen nuclear power plant, with no parties currently identified as responsible. The incident follows a pattern of increased drone activity across Europe, previously linked to Russian operations aimed at mapping air defence vulnerabilities.
Authorities responded promptly to the sighting of at least seven drones near the Gösgen nuclear power plant, deploying police to the scene and confirming that the threat level was ‘negligible’. The International Institute of Strategic Studies has warned that such incidents may be part of a broader pattern, with Russian-linked vessels possibly using drones to assess European air defence responses.
What remains unclear — Authorities have not identified the individuals or groups responsible for the drone sightings above the Gösgen nuclear power plant.
Seven drones reported over Gösgen nuclear power plant in Switzerland
The Gösgen nuclear power plant went into lockdown (Picture: Shutterstock)
At least seven drones were spotted near Switzerland’s Gösgen nuclear power plant, sparking a large police response.
The mystery drones were spotted around 10.30pm yesterday and reported by a resident.
The safety of the power plant was not compromised during the incident, with the head of communications for the plant saying the threat posed by drones was ‘negligible’.
As is usually the case around power plants, a no-fly zone is in place around Gösgen.
It remains unclear who was behind the drones above the nuclear power plant this week.
Earlier this month, it was revealed that Russia launched hundreds of drones and covert UAVs across the UK and Europe from their shadow fleet, thought to be in preparation for a future conflict.
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The International Institute of Strategic Studies issued a sobering report that found Vladimir Putin’s shadow fleet ships had sent drones to target airports, bases, and nuclear sites.
Among the sites affected by the spy drones were RAF Fairford, Feltwell, Lakenheath and Mildenhall, and dozens of sites across continental Europe.
The nuclear power plant has been monitored closely today (Picture: Google Maps)
‘We assess it is likely that Russian-linked vessels and the “shadow fleet” were used as launch or recovery platforms for UAVs as part of the Kremlin’s wider unconventional war on Europe,’ they warned.
Since 2024, mystery drone sightings have plagued airports, military bases and civilian areas as Russia increasingly tests the limits of its spyware.
‘The Kremlin was likely able to map reaction times, coverage gaps and limitations across European integrated air defences,’ the IISS added.
The drones spied on critical infrastructure as well, to prompt a ‘decisive opening operation in high-intensity conflict’, the report warned.
Cyber threats, mysterious drone incursions and other incidents have all been attributed to foreign actors.
In late 2024, it was reported that a ‘record number of incidents’ impacted the UK’s ‘critical’ drinking water supplies in 2024 – without being officially disclosed, according to Recorded Future News.
Between August 2023 and March 2024 alone, 46,000 flights in areas such as the Baltic, Black Sea and eastern Mediterranean logged interference issues – believed to be due to Russian interference.
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