CIA Reportedly Warns of Possible Russian Drone Attacks on Spain, France, and Italy

he interior of the CIA headquarters features the agency’s emblem prominently displayed across the polished floor of the main lobby

A report published by Spanish newspaper El Mundo says U.S. intelligence warned several European governments about a possible Russian drone operation targeting Spain, France, or Italy, potentially using drones launched from commercial vessels in the Mediterranean Sea.

However, the reported warning has not been independently confirmed, and officials in France and Italy have publicly disputed that they received such a CIA alert.

Report Details: Possible Mediterranean Drone Operation

According to El Mundo, intelligence shared with European governments described a scenario in which Russia could conceal small Gerbera-type drones inside shipping containers aboard merchant vessels and launch them from international waters in the Mediterranean. The report attributed the information to anonymous diplomatic and intelligence sources, including a source described as being close to Lithuania's Defence Ministry.

The reported scenario would potentially allow drones to approach targets along the southern European coastline without being launched from Russian territory.

Gerbera Drones Could Target Infrastructure

The Gerbera drone is considerably smaller than the larger Shahed-series drones widely used in the war in Ukraine. Reports cited by El Mundo said the aircraft could have a range of up to about 600 kilometers, depending on its payload and operating conditions.

The reported assessment suggested such drones would not necessarily be intended to cause large-scale destruction. Instead, they could potentially start fires, damage exposed equipment or temporarily disrupt operations at airports, ports or other infrastructure.

France and Italy Dispute the Reported CIA Warning

The existence of the alleged CIA warning remains contested.

French President Emmanuel Macron said on September 27 that the CIA had not warned French authorities about such a Russian drone operation. Italy's defence minister also said the reported alert had not been confirmed by Italian authorities.

A Russian Gerbera-type drone is depicted flying above the Mediterranean region as part of a reported scenario involving potential launches from vessels at sea.

The U.S. intelligence community has not publicly confirmed the existence or contents of the alleged report. The Independent also reported that it was unable to independently verify the CIA document.

NATO Acknowledges Broader Russian Threat

Although the specific Mediterranean drone warning remains unverified, NATO has acknowledged that Russia represents a continuing security concern for alliance members.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has described the Russian threat to NATO territory as long-term, while European officials have increasingly raised concerns about sabotage, cyberattacks, drone incidents and other forms of hybrid activity.

Denmark's Defence Intelligence Service separately warned this week that Russia is expected to intensify its hybrid warfare against Western countries and NATO in the coming months.

A map illustrates the reported 600-kilometer operating range of Gerbera drones across parts of Spain, France, Italy and the wider Mediterranean region

Mediterranean Security Comes Under Greater Scrutiny

The reported scenario highlights a different challenge from Russia's drone activity along NATO's eastern borders. Instead of launching drones from Russian or occupied territory, a vessel operating in international waters could potentially provide a mobile launch platform much closer to targets in Western Europe.

For now, however, there is no public confirmation that Russia is preparing such an operation, and French and Italian officials have specifically rejected claims that they received the alleged CIA warning.

Author: Kevin Macmellon