Swedish Military Confirms Russian Drone Jamming Incident Near French Carrier
The Swedish military has confirmed that a drone it jammed near the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle earlier this week was of Russian origin. This incident, which occurred in the Oresund waters between Denmark and Sweden, has heightened concerns that Moscow is deploying hybrid warfare tactics against European nations supporting Ukraine.
Details of the Oresund Incident
On Thursday, a Swedish navy vessel successfully jammed the drone approximately 13 kilometres (eight miles) from the Charles de Gaulle, France's flagship aircraft carrier. The operation took place in the strategic Oresund stretch, a key maritime corridor. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, speaking from the carrier on Friday, stated that if Russian involvement is confirmed, it would constitute a "ridiculous provocation." In response, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed Barrot's remarks as "quite an absurd statement."
Broader European Security Concerns
This event follows a similar incident on Thursday, where Romania scrambled fighter jets after a drone breached its national airspace during a Russian attack on Ukraine. NATO's easternmost member states have reported numerous drone sightings in recent months, with many attributing these incursions to Russia. The timing is particularly sensitive, as several European nations prepare for elections amid fears of foreign interference.
Election Security and Disinformation Threats
Denmark's intelligence service issued a warning on Friday, indicating that a foreign power, likely Russia, may attempt to influence voters in the country's general election scheduled for 24 March. Denmark, due to its strong support for Ukraine, is considered a priority target. In a joint statement, Denmark's police and military intelligence services highlighted that the election campaign could be marred by disinformation and cyber-attacks. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who called the election on Thursday, emphasised that the shadow cast by Russia represents one of Denmark's most significant threats.
Political Dynamics in Hungary and Slovakia
In Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who trails in most polls ahead of April's election, is reportedly using the Ukraine conflict to divert attention from domestic issues such as deteriorating social services, rising living costs, and economic stagnation. Orbán's right-wing, populist government has employed AI-generated billboard posters depicting Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and EU officials with outstretched hands, accompanied by the taxpayer-funded message: "Our message to Brussels: We won't pay!" This messaging is echoed across radio, television, and social media platforms.
Meanwhile, the leaders of Ukraine and Slovakia have agreed to hold a face-to-face meeting to resolve a dispute over the blocked Druzhba pipeline, which transports Russian oil to Slovakia and Hungary. Both Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán have accused President Zelenskyy of using "blackmail" regarding the pipeline through Ukrainian territory. Ukraine contends that the pipeline was damaged in Russian airstrikes on 27 January, while Slovakia and Hungary insist it has been repaired. Orbán has further escalated tensions by blocking an EU emergency loan to Ukraine.
International Developments and Humanitarian Issues
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced on Friday that it has negotiated a temporary local ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, enabling the restoration of a backup power supply to Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. This marks the fifth such ceasefire facilitated by the IAEA, according to Director General Rafael Grossi.
In a related humanitarian concern, Ghana's Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa revealed that at least 55 Ghanaians have been killed in Russia's war with Ukraine after being "lured into battle." Following a visit to Kyiv, Ablakwa stated in a social media post that 272 Ghanaians are believed to have been recruited since 2022, with an estimated 55 fatalities and 2 captured as prisoners of war. Reports of African men being enticed to Russia with job promises, only to end up on the frontlines in Ukraine, have become increasingly common, straining relations between Moscow and affected countries. Russian authorities deny any illegal recruitment of African citizens, while Ukraine claims more than 1,780 Africans from 36 countries are fighting in the Russian army.
