Unknown drones flew along the route of Zelensky's plane to Ireland
After the devices did not hit the plane, they changed course and hovered over the Irish naval ship LÉ William Butler Yeats, which was secretly patrolling the Irish Sea during the visit. Preliminary data suggests that the drones may have taken off from northeast Dublin or from an undisclosed vessel. Operators and the location of the drones are currently unknown.
Security forces estimate that the drones were large, high-tech, and military-grade. The illuminated devices indicate a deliberate attempt to destabilize or intimidate. Irish law enforcement did not open fire, and there were no means on the ship to neutralize them. The drones operated for about two hours within 12 nautical miles of Irish territorial waters.
The incident resembles a series of drone attacks in Europe, which led to the closure of airports in Brussels and Denmark. The Irish government held an emergency meeting with law enforcement and civilian officials, but Zelensky's visit proceeded without serious disruptions.
Experts classify the event as a hybrid attack — a combination of military and non-military tactics to pressure the state without declaring war. Ireland is strengthening airspace control amid preparations for the country's presidency of the EU next year.
