NORWAY's domestic security agency took over investigations of drone sightings near critical infrastructure sites hours after Bergen Airport shut down due to area residents spotting drones, reports ABC News.
Bergen police spokesman Orjan Djuvik declared several drone sightings were reported near the airport.
'There can also be observations that could be other phenomenon, for instance weather,' said Mr Djuvik. 'We are sure that there is at least one.'
North of Bergen, a drone was reported near the small, domestic Foerde airport, which also closed temporarily.
In recent months, numerous drone sightings have been reported near offshore oil and gas platforms and other Norwegian infrastructure.
Said Norwegian Police Security Service deputy chief Hedvig Moe: 'We believe [the drone flights are] carried out in a way that makes it difficult to find out who is really behind it.'
Norwegian authorities suspect Russian involvement in operating unmanned aerial vehicles that 'can be used for espionage or simply to create fear,' said Ms Moe.
'Russia simply has more to gain and less to lose by conducting intelligence activities in norway now compared to the situation before the war,' said Ms Moe.
'It is simply because Russia is in a pressed situation as a result of the war and is isolated by sanctions.'
'We are in a tense security-political situation, and at the same time, a complex and unclear threat picture that can change in a relatively short time,' said Ms Moe.
Seven Russian citizens were recently detained for flying drones or taking photographs of sensitive sites in Norway.
A 47-year-old man with dual Russian and British citizenship was jailed for two weeks on suspicion of flying drones on Norway's Arctic archipelago of Svalbard.
The man is accused of breaching sanctions that came into force after Russia went to war against Ukraine.
Under Norwegian law, it's prohibited for aircraft operated by Russian companies or citizens 'to land on, take off from or fly over Norwegian territory.'
Said Norway prime minister Jonas Gahr Store: 'It is not acceptable that foreign intelligence is flying drones over Norwegian airports. Russians are not allowed to fly drones in Norway,'
'We do not want anyone to fly this type of craft over important installations in Norway.'
SeaNews Turkey
Bergen police spokesman Orjan Djuvik declared several drone sightings were reported near the airport.
'There can also be observations that could be other phenomenon, for instance weather,' said Mr Djuvik. 'We are sure that there is at least one.'
North of Bergen, a drone was reported near the small, domestic Foerde airport, which also closed temporarily.
In recent months, numerous drone sightings have been reported near offshore oil and gas platforms and other Norwegian infrastructure.
Said Norwegian Police Security Service deputy chief Hedvig Moe: 'We believe [the drone flights are] carried out in a way that makes it difficult to find out who is really behind it.'
Norwegian authorities suspect Russian involvement in operating unmanned aerial vehicles that 'can be used for espionage or simply to create fear,' said Ms Moe.
'Russia simply has more to gain and less to lose by conducting intelligence activities in norway now compared to the situation before the war,' said Ms Moe.
'It is simply because Russia is in a pressed situation as a result of the war and is isolated by sanctions.'
'We are in a tense security-political situation, and at the same time, a complex and unclear threat picture that can change in a relatively short time,' said Ms Moe.
Seven Russian citizens were recently detained for flying drones or taking photographs of sensitive sites in Norway.
A 47-year-old man with dual Russian and British citizenship was jailed for two weeks on suspicion of flying drones on Norway's Arctic archipelago of Svalbard.
The man is accused of breaching sanctions that came into force after Russia went to war against Ukraine.
Under Norwegian law, it's prohibited for aircraft operated by Russian companies or citizens 'to land on, take off from or fly over Norwegian territory.'
Said Norway prime minister Jonas Gahr Store: 'It is not acceptable that foreign intelligence is flying drones over Norwegian airports. Russians are not allowed to fly drones in Norway,'
'We do not want anyone to fly this type of craft over important installations in Norway.'
SeaNews Turkey
