On Thursday, the Swedish military confirmed that it had intercepted an unidentified drone near the French Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier while it was in Swedish waters. The drone was spotted in the Öresund Strait, close to Malmö, during the aircraft carrier's operations in the region. A joint statement from the Swedish and French armed forces indicated that the drone was disrupted approximately seven nautical miles from the carrier, and operations of the vessel were not affected.

According to a representative of the French military, the Swedish system managed to neutralize the drone completely without any disturbance to the carrier's operations. The Charles de Gaulle was reportedly conducting strategic exercises in Swedish territorial waters, showcasing the ongoing military collaboration between Sweden and its allies. The incident raised concerns due to the proximity of Russian naval assets, as noted by Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson, who speculated that the intercepted drone was likely of Russian origin.

Minister Jonson elaborated on the incident in an interview with Swedish public broadcaster SVT, emphasizing a probable connection between the drone and a nearby Russian vessel. This assertion reflects the heightened tensions and growing military presence in the Baltic region. The Swedish military has initiated an investigation into the matter, which underscores the ongoing security concerns in the area amidst increasing activity from Russian forces. The incident not only highlights the capabilities of Swedish defense systems but also indicates the complexities of international relations in the current geopolitical climate.