The CIA warns Spain, France and Italy of possible Russian drone attacks launched from commercial vessels

U.S. intelligence services have warned Spain, France and Italy that Russia may be preparing drone attacks launched from commercial vessels, according to the daily El Mundo. The warning concerns possible hybrid operations intended to cause fires, damage infrastructure or temporarily shut down ports and airports.

The plan would involve using Gerbera drones, the Russian version of Shahed aircraft, hidden in containers and assembled on board. The drones are approximately two meters long, have a range of up to 600 kilometers and can carry several kilograms of explosives. Launched 200–300 kilometers from the coast, they could reach their target in less than two hours.

The information reportedly circulated after CIA Director John Ratcliffe's visit to Moscow on August 25. France subsequently convened a meeting of the Defense Council on September 16, amid concerns about the vulnerability of European infrastructure.

The warning is being analyzed in the context of maritime and aerial incidents attributed to Russia, including the detection of a drone launched from a Russian vessel near Sweden and the incursion of a Russian helicopter into Polish airspace. European officials fear that Moscow could test NATO's response through limited attacks that are difficult to attribute.