Brief

CIA warns of Russian drone plan targeting Mediterranean nations

Intelligence agencies and European leaders weigh a potential Russian hybrid attack involving small drones launched from disguised merchant ships.

By Felo News Desk · Published Mon, 28 Sep 2026 20:36:04 GMT

The Central Intelligence Agency has reportedly informed several Mediterranean states that Russia may be preparing a covert drone operation aimed at Spain, Italy and France. The warning, first reported by the Spanish daily El Mundo on 24 September, was based on CIA information that the drones would be launched from Russian vessels disguised as commercial ships.

The drones, identified as Gerbera, are smaller and lighter than the larger Shahed or Geran systems used in Ukraine. A merchant ship crossing the Mediterranean could carry several Gerberas, taking between one‑and‑a‑quarter and two hours to reach the Italian, Spanish or French coasts. The devices are not capable of delivering significant ammunition; their likely purpose would be to surprise or cause light damage on impact, the report said, citing Lithuanian officials familiar with the CIA data.

European reaction

French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking on TF1 and France 2, denied that the French government had received any CIA warning about a Russian attack. He said the CIA had not informed French authorities of any potential operation, contradicting the Spanish report.

Context of Russian hybrid warfare

Russia’s use of hybrid tactics has intensified across Europe in recent weeks. A Felo News article on 26 September described a series of covert attacks and sabotage, including drones near German airports and rail sabotage in Poland, signalling a shift in Russian strategy. Earlier this month, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned NATO of staged hybrid drone attacks designed to undermine collective defence. The European Union also recently delisted two Russian oligarchs from its sanctions list, a move that has drawn criticism from Ukraine and other members.

Experts suggest that Russia may be using the threat of an attack as a psychological weapon, sowing doubt and panic without necessarily executing the plan. Mark Lacy, a specialist in Russian hybrid warfare at Lancaster University, explained that the perception of a threat can be more effective than an actual strike.

Implications for Mediterranean security

If the plan were to proceed, the small size of the Gerbera drones would limit their destructive capacity, but the element of surprise could still pose a significant risk to coastal infrastructure and civilian areas. European states are reportedly bolstering their defenses in response to the growing threat of limited Russian strikes, while the United States remains uncertain about its level of commitment to the region.

For now, the situation remains under close observation by intelligence agencies and European governments, with the potential for rapid escalation if the alleged plan is acted upon.

Key facts

CIA warned Mediterranean states of a possible Russian drone operation targeting Spain, Italy and France (france24.com)
Gerbera drones are smaller and lighter than Shahed or Geran systems and cannot deliver significant ammunition (france24.com)
French President Emmanuel Macron denied that France had received any CIA warning about a Russian attack (france24.com)
Mark Lacy says Russia may use threat of attack as a psychological weapon (france24.com)

Background

The report follows a series of incidents highlighted by Felo News, including Russian drone activity near German airports and rail sabotage in Poland, as well as a recent EU decision to delist two Russian oligarchs from its sanctions list.