On December 1, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s plane approached landing at Dublin Airport, four military-grade drones violated a no-fly zone and followed the same flight path as Zelensky’s aircraft, according to The Journal’s sources. The incident raised real security concerns, prompting Irish authorities to launch an investigation.
The drones reportedly took off from the northeast of Dublin, though their precise launch site remains unclear. The devices circled above an Irish Navy vessel, which had been secretly deployed to the Irish Sea ahead of Zelensky’s visit. The drones were described as large, expensive, and designated for military use. The decision was made not to shoot them down due to the lack of proper equipment on board the navy ship.
Civil society activist Valeriy Kluchok emphasized that such incidents are not unprecedented in Europe, suggesting a systematic use of drones by Russia for information gathering and provocations, sometimes via local intermediaries. He noted numerous similar incidents across Europe since the start of the wider war, with politicians and experts increasingly attributing such actions to the Kremlin.
Kluchok also discussed the broader political context, highlighting divisions among EU member states over support for Ukraine. He referenced the reluctance of some countries, such as Italy, to participate in further military aid programs and noted ongoing debates about whether to purchase arms from the US or produce them within the EU. The differences between Northern and Southern European countries were underlined as a source of tension.
The expert analyzed prospective American political developments, especially regarding Donald Trump’s possible return to power and his stance on the war in Ukraine. These divisions, Kluchok argues, could significantly affect the course of the conflict and Ukraine’s negotiating position. He warned that any delay in international support increases the pressure Russia can exert on Ukraine.
