French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot speaks at a press conference in Sweden, Friday Feb. 27, 2026. JOHAN NILSSON / AP
The Swedish military confirmed on Friday, February 27 that a drone jammed near a French aircraft carrier this week was Russian as France slammed the spy attempt as a "ridiculous provocation." The incident happened on Thursday in the Oresund, the stretch of water between Denmark and Sweden. A Swedish navy vessel jammed the drone 13 kilometers (eight miles) from France's flagship, the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier.
Sweden's armed forces confirmed that the drone had been Russian.
"During the visit of the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, one of the Swedish Armed Forces' vessels observed a drone taking off from a Russian signals intelligence ship," said a military statement.
"The Swedish Armed Forces can now confirm that a Russian drone has carried out an unauthorized flight," it added. Sweden's Defence Minister Pal Jonson said Thursday that the drone was "probably" Russian, noting the presence nearby of a Russian military vessel.
