At least seven mystery drones were spotted near Switzerland's Gösgen nuclear power plant late on July 15, 2026, sparking a large police response. The drones were reported by a resident at around 10:30 p.m., according to plant officials.
No compromise to safety
The safety of the power plant was not compromised during the incident. The head of communications for the plant stated that the threat posed by the drones was 'negligible'. A no-fly zone is in place around the nuclear power plant, similar to other power plants across the region.
Spate of drone sightings across Europe
This incident follows a series of drone sightings across Europe, including over military barracks and airfields. It remains unclear who was behind the drones above the nuclear power plant this week. However, earlier this month, the International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) released a report revealing that Russia launched hundreds of drones and covert UAVs across Britain and Europe from its shadow fleet, preparing for a future conflict.
The IISS report noted that Vladimir Putin's shadow fleet ships sent drones into Britain and Europe, targeting airports, bases, and nuclear sites. Among the sites affected were RAF Fairford, Feltwell, Lakenheath, and Mildenhall, as well as dozens of sites across continental Europe. 'We assess it is likely that Russian-linked vessels and the 'shadow fleet' were used as launch or recovery platforms for UAVs as part of the Kremlin's wider unconventional war on Europe,' the IISS warned.
Russian drone incursions since 2024
Since 2024, mystery drone sightings have plagued airports, military bases, and civilian areas as Russia increasingly tests the limits of its spyware. The IISS added, 'The Kremlin was likely able to map reaction times, coverage gaps and limitations across European integrated air defences.' The drones spied on critical infrastructure to prompt a 'decisive opening operation in high-intensity conflict', the report warned.
Cyber threats and mysterious drone incursions have been attributed to foreign actors. In late 2024, Recorded Future News reported that a 'record number of incidents' impacted the UK's critical drinking water supplies without being officially disclosed. Between August 2023 and March 2024 alone, 46,000 flights in areas such as the Baltic, Black Sea, and eastern Mediterranean logged interference issues, believed to be due to Russian interference.
