By Our Reporter
Military drones entered restricted airspace above Dublin and flew toward Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s aircraft on Monday evening, according to reports that surfaced on Thursday. Five drones were detected in total after violating a no-fly zone, and security officials are examining Russia as one of several possible actors behind the incident.
The unidentified drones launched from an area northeast of Dublin and remained airborne for around two hours. Authorities have not yet established who operated them or where they are now located. Security sources believe the activity was intended to interfere with the Ukrainian leader’s arrival in Ireland. The drones had their lights switched on, a detail that officials interpret as a deliberate decision to ensure they would be noticed.
“They had the capability and intent. They could have taken action at any moment of their choosing,” one security source said.
President Zelensky’s aircraft landed at Dublin Airport at 11 p.m., several minutes ahead of schedule. The earlier arrival meant his plane was not present in the airspace where the drones were later detected. Sources confirmed to The Irish Times that Zelensky was never in direct danger because of the timing.
Investigators have classified the event, first reported by The Journal, as a possible act of hybrid warfare. Russian intelligence services are considered the most likely culprits, although no evidence directly ties Moscow to the operation at this stage.
The drones were also seen circling above the LE William Butler Yeats, an Irish Navy vessel positioned covertly in the Irish Sea as part of security arrangements for the visit. Crew members spotted the illuminated drones visually because the ship lacked air radar. The vessel had no electronic means of disabling the aircraft and carried only machine guns as air defence, and the crew chose not to attempt to shoot them down. An Irish Air Corps aircraft was patrolling the area but did not engage the drones.
The Taoiseach and the ministers of justice and defence were briefed within hours of the breach. It remains unclear whether President Zelensky was informed of the security incident during his visit.
The operation placed considerable strain on Ireland’s already limited military resources. The Irish Navy has eight ships, but a report earlier this year revealed that only four are currently able to sail due to personnel shortages. Ireland spends 0.24 percent of its GDP on defence, the lowest rate in the European Union, compared with the EU average of 1.74 percent. The country depends heavily on the UK’s Royal Air Force to intercept aircraft that threaten its airspace.
The incident has intensified calls for stronger national defence capabilities. The Government plans to increase defence spending significantly and is preparing to purchase between eight and fourteen fighter jets at a cost of more than £2 billion. This would mark Ireland’s first acquisition of combat aircraft in fifty years. Proposals also include expanding the naval fleet to twelve vessels.
Investigators continue working to determine who operated the drones and what their objective was. Security officials say the incident highlights serious vulnerabilities in Ireland’s airspace protection and underscores the need for rapid improvements in national defence.
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