Norwegian Authorities Seize Drone Near Oslo Airport Amid Regional Incursions

26-09-2025


Norwegian police have seized a drone operated by a foreign national near Oslo Airport, marking the latest in a series of aerial incursions affecting Scandinavian air travel infrastructure. The incident occurred Wednesday evening when authorities were alerted to an unauthorized drone flight within the airport's restricted no-fly zone. Lisa Mari Løkke, head of prosecutions at Norway's eastern police district, confirmed that police located and detained a man in his 50s piloting the device, which was subsequently landed and confiscated by officers.

The detained individual, whose nationality remains undisclosed by authorities, was not formally arrested but will be questioned regarding the violation. Police emphasized that the Wednesday evening incident did not disrupt air traffic operations at Oslo Airport. This development follows similar drone sightings that forced temporary shutdowns at multiple Scandinavian airports earlier this week, including closures in both Copenhagen and Oslo that raised security concerns across the region.

Authorities have been cautious about drawing connections between the various drone incidents. Prosecutor Løkke stated that "at this stage, we see no connection" between Wednesday's seizure and the earlier airport disruptions. The Monday night incident at Oslo Airport resulted in a three-hour suspension of air traffic after reports of lights in the sky, though investigators are still working to confirm whether those sightings involved drones.

The pattern of drone activity has prompted broader regional security discussions, with EU and NATO members scheduled to address drone defense strategies in upcoming meetings. Denmark, which has experienced similar incursions, has been invited to participate in these talks alongside eastern flank nations. While investigations continue into all recent incidents, Norwegian officials maintain that the Wednesday drone operation appears unrelated to the more disruptive sightings that temporarily halted airport operations earlier in the week.

Other news

Eskilstuna Municipality Appeals Approval of Industrial Solvent Use Amid Public Protests

{'$date': '2025-10-02T17:05:36.977Z'}


Eskilstuna Municipality has filed an appeal against the Swedish Chemicals Agency's decision to grant Senior Material a permit to use methylene chloride in its production of separator film for electric vehicle batteries. The municipal board reached this decision on October 2nd, with the community building committee scheduled to address the matter during its meeting on October 3rd. The appeal represents a significant challenge to the regulatory approval process for industrial chemical use in Sweden.

The controversy centers on methylene chloride, also known as dichloromethane (DCM), a chlorinated solvent that has been nationally prohibited in Sweden since 1996 due to health risks for workers handling the substance. The chemical is classified as carcinogenic and capable of causing genetic changes, while also being harmful to aquatic organisms. Senior Material received an exemption from this ban for its planned production operations, marking a notable exception to Sweden's long-standing restrictions on the substance.

Public concern over the potential environmental impact has manifested in substantial community opposition. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside Senior Material's factory in the Svista industrial area on October 1st, expressing worries about future emissions of the chemical. The protest movement has gained momentum through social media campaigns and a petition that has collected over 130,000 signatures demanding the cessation of methylene chloride emissions.

Municipal officials cite multiple grounds for their appeal, particularly emphasizing the volume of methylene chloride approved—1,280 tons over a two-year period—which they describe as unreasonable given Sweden's phase-out objectives for the substance. Niklas Edmark, business director for Eskilstuna Municipality, stated that the approved quantity significantly exceeds what has been permitted in Sweden in recent years and conflicts with national sustainability goals. The municipality argues that the Chemicals Agency should have applied the precautionary principle more rigorously and expanded its assessment criteria given the scale of proposed use.