In an interview with the French TV channels TF1 and France 2, Macron said that “the CIA did not inform French services about such an attack”. Asked whether France could face an attack similar to the August sabotage attempt at Leipzig/Halle airport, he answered yes.
The Spanish newspaper El Mundo, citing unnamed sources, reported that American intelligence had warned several European governments about a possible Russian operation against Spain, France, or Italy. According to the publication, the drones in question were “Gerbera” drones, which can be launched from merchant ships in the Mediterranean Sea.
Italy did not confirm these reports. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said that the report about possible attacks by Russian ships and drones on Italy, Spain, and France “finds no confirmation”.
French authorities have been strengthening measures in recent weeks to protect against possible Russian hybrid attacks. On September 18, Macron instructed the government to prepare a plan to protect critical infrastructure and the most sensitive defense industry facilities from drones and cyberattacks.
At the beginning of August, a drone with a detonator was found near a Ukrainian An-124 transport aircraft at Leipzig/Halle airport in Germany. Later, the German government officially accused Russia of this attack.
German investigators identified the identities of two alleged perpetrators. According to the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag, one of them — Russian Oleg L. — is linked to the GRU and was responsible for the preparation and logistics of the operation; the publication also reported that two of the three drones were destroyed on takeoff, while the third reached the aircraft, but its detonator did not go off.
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