The CIA has warned European allies that Russia may target Spain, Italy or France using small explosive drones launched from offshore vessels, Spanish media reported on Wednesday.

According to the El Mundo newspaper, which cited a source in the Lithuanian defense ministry, American intelligence warned in August that Russia is drawing up plans to use Gerbera drones, which can carry a small payload up to 600 kilometers (373 miles), at a speed of some 100 miles an hour, to threaten southern Europe.

The drones would be launched from offshore merchant ships, disguised as ordinary commercial vessels, according to the report.

The goal of the attack would not be to cause major destruction, but rather the symbolic impact, the newspaper said, providing examples such as closing an airport, starting a fire, or flying over a military installation.

Moscow reportedly aims to deter Kyiv’s allies from further supporting Ukraine in the war sparked by Russia’s full-scale invasion of the country in 2022, and to destabilize European nations amid 2027 election campaigns in Spain, France and Italy.

According to El Mundo, CIA Director John Ratcliffe went to Moscow on August 25 in order to warn Russia against attacking any NATO allies. The trip was covered by media at the time, and acknowledged by the White House, but its purpose was not disclosed.

Earlier this month, French President Emmanuel Macron said he had ordered measures to protect his country’s critical infrastructure from Russian “hybrid attacks,” after a meeting with the leaders of various political factions to warn of the threat from Moscow.

And Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk........

© The Times of Israel