Intelligence reports and recent press accounts have raised concerns regarding potential drone threats targeting Mediterranean nations, including Italy, France, and Spain. According to a report by the Spanish newspaper El Mundo, United States intelligence services gathered information indicating that the Kremlin is planning escalation steps involving sea-launched drones concealed in containers, potentially utilizing il drone Gerbera con cui la Russia potrebbe colpire l’Italia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that La Russia non si prepara ad alcuna ostilità contro l’Europa
. Meanwhile, Italian officials have urged calm and dismissed the reports of imminent military strikes against the country. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated that he spoke with Defense Minister Guido Crosetto and that there is alcun fondamento di queste notizie
regarding direct military drone attacks. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto urged the public not to pour gasoline on the fire, while Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini called for calm and cool blood.
Characteristics of the Gerbera Drone
Authorities familiar with the intelligence have identified the Gerbera as the type of aircraft that could be deployed in container-based maritime launches. The device measures approximately two meters in length with a 2.5-meter wingspan, weighs up to 18 kilograms, and can reach speeds near 160 kilometers per hour with a declared range of 600 kilometers. A source close to the Lithuanian defense ministry explained that such systems can be transported via merchant vessels and launched with considerably less difficulty than larger models.
Reactions and Regional Developments
French President Emmanuel Macron addressed the reports during a television interview on TF1 and France 2, noting that rumors concerning a specific drone threat in southern France can be denied, though he acknowledged a concerning overall security situation involving various hostile acts across Europe. Italian officials echoed similar assessments, with Tajani emphasizing that while Russia engages in hybrid warfare activities such as cyber operations and fake news campaigns, there is no credible indication of direct military strikes against European or NATO territory.
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