"Der Spiegel" reports drones seen above largest US military facility in Europe
Reports indicate that suspected spy UAVs have flown over the Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany, in addition to the Rheinmetall and BASF factories. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Unidentified drones have been reported flying over the Ramstein Air Force Base in western Germany, according to Der Spiegel, which cites security sources in Berlin. UAVs have also been observed above the facilities of chemicals giant BASF and arms manufacturer Rheinmetall.
Ramstein, established shortly after WWII, serves as a primary US Air Force hub in Europe. Several drone sightings occurred over the base on the evening of December 3 and the following day, as detailed in a classified German security report referenced by Der Spiegel.
“At the beginning of December, there were several sightings of small unmanned aircraft in the area and above Ramstein Air Base,” a spokesperson for the base told the publication.
“They had no impact on the residents of the base or on the facilities and military equipment there,” she added, emphasizing that the USAF is in “close coordination” with German authorities concerning the incidents.
Despite local authorities initiating “intensive search measures,” the operator of the drones has not been identified.
The public prosecutor’s office in nearby Flensburg is conducting an investigation into the flights, with suspicions of “agent activity for the purposes of sabotage.” The German military has also been notified.
The issue was discussed at a security conference in Brandenburg last week, but no agreement was made on how to address the reported spy flights.
Berlin is reportedly vigilant about potential sabotage risks given its support for Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. Authorities have been particularly alert following the detection of several suspected spy flights over a chemical park and a liquefied natural gas terminal in Schleswig-Holstein this past summer.
Although the German Defense Ministry has refrained from commenting, a security source confirmed the situation to Reuters.
In recent weeks, drones have also been sighted over properties associated with BASF and Rheinmetall. BASF issued a statement asserting that the safety of its facilities is a “top priority” and emphasized its commitment to collaborating with security authorities and monitoring “suspicious activities at all times.”
Sophie Wagner contributed to this report for TROIB News
Ramstein, established shortly after WWII, serves as a primary US Air Force hub in Europe. Several drone sightings occurred over the base on the evening of December 3 and the following day, as detailed in a classified German security report referenced by Der Spiegel.
“At the beginning of December, there were several sightings of small unmanned aircraft in the area and above Ramstein Air Base,” a spokesperson for the base told the publication.
“They had no impact on the residents of the base or on the facilities and military equipment there,” she added, emphasizing that the USAF is in “close coordination” with German authorities concerning the incidents.
Despite local authorities initiating “intensive search measures,” the operator of the drones has not been identified.
The public prosecutor’s office in nearby Flensburg is conducting an investigation into the flights, with suspicions of “agent activity for the purposes of sabotage.” The German military has also been notified.
The issue was discussed at a security conference in Brandenburg last week, but no agreement was made on how to address the reported spy flights.
Berlin is reportedly vigilant about potential sabotage risks given its support for Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. Authorities have been particularly alert following the detection of several suspected spy flights over a chemical park and a liquefied natural gas terminal in Schleswig-Holstein this past summer.
Although the German Defense Ministry has refrained from commenting, a security source confirmed the situation to Reuters.
In recent weeks, drones have also been sighted over properties associated with BASF and Rheinmetall. BASF issued a statement asserting that the safety of its facilities is a “top priority” and emphasized its commitment to collaborating with security authorities and monitoring “suspicious activities at all times.”
Sophie Wagner contributed to this report for TROIB News
