Irish security services suspect Russian intelligence — or groups acting on their behalf — were most likely behind the hybrid drone incidents during the visit of the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Ireland. 'Hostile state behind drone incursions'In September of this year, Poland shot down drones over its airspace. Multiple sources say the drones did not pose any threat, believing they were deliberately positioned on the edge of Irish territorial jurisdiction (12 nautical miles from the coast). One source said of the drone incursion during Mr Zelenskyy’s visit: 'They were testing our defences, the purpose to sow seeds of doubt in the country — and they did that.' This includes which agency takes the lead for the security of airspace, the security of territorial waters, and for Irish-controlled waters (up to 200 nautical miles).

Source: Irish Examiner December 20, 2025 13:50 UTC