Drones Over German Naval Yard Spark Espionage Probe

Serious concern has arisen in the city of Kiel in northern Germany regarding coordinated flights of unknown unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) over critical military and civilian facilities. Authorities are investigating the possibility of foreign espionage, as the targets include the Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) military shipyard, where submarines are built, and the Schleswig-Holstein University Hospital.

Over the past few weeks, especially on the night of September 29, drones have been spotted in the skies over Kiel. They have flown not only over the Thyssenkrupp submarine factory, but also over the naval base, the locks of the Kiel Canal, and the local power plant. Eyewitnesses have reported that in some cases the drones flew in a coordinated formation, which indicates their professional operation.

Given the seriousness of the situation, the investigation has been taken over by the Federal Criminal Police Office (LKA) and the State Security Service. The Minister of the Interior of Schleswig-Holstein, Sabine Sütterlin-Waack, has confirmed the incidents, stating that the authorities are taking these cases very seriously. "We cannot rule out that this could be espionage," she stated.

Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems is a key supplier of military ships and submarines for Germany and its NATO allies. The attention shown to this facility increases suspicions that foreign forces may be behind the flights, attempting to gather information about German military technologies.

The flights over the university hospital have also caused alarm, as it is considered a critical infrastructure facility.

Currently, law enforcement agencies are continuing the investigation, trying to determine the origin of the drones and the identity of their operators. These incidents once again highlight the urgency of ensuring the security of critical infrastructure in the face of new threats of espionage and sabotage.