Putin Denies Drone Attacks, Jokes About Ceasing Flights Over Denmark Amid European Security Concerns

At the Valdai Discussion Club Forum in Sochi, Russian President Vladimir Putin mocked the European Union's suspicions that Russia is behind recent drone sightings across Europe, sarcastically stating he would not send any more drones to France, Denmark, Copenhagen, or Lisbon. While he framed the accusations as absurd and joked about the drone incidents, Putin also issued a warning that it was not a joke, criticizing Europe for hysteria and using the incidents as distractions from internal problems. Europe's heightened alert follows multiple drone incursions disrupting airports in Denmark, Germany, Poland, Norway, and other countries, leading to temporary closures and security concerns near military facilities. Putin denied Russia has drones capable of reaching Lisbon and accused NATO of escalating tensions and using incidents to justify increased defense spending. The incidents have sparked political responses in Europe, with some officials calling the situation a form of hybrid warfare primarily attributed to Russia, though Russia continues to deny responsibility. This pattern of denial followed by eventual admission mirrors Putin's past handling of military actions, such as in Crimea.