Four unknown military-type drones trailed Zelenskyy’s plane during Ireland visit

Four unidentified military-type drones followed the aircraft carrying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his visit to Ireland, The Journal reported on Thursday.

According to the outlet, Zelenskyy’s plane landed at Dublin Airport slightly ahead of schedule, while the drones reached the area “exactly at the designated time”. Shortly afterward, the same drones flew over an Irish Naval Service vessel that had been discreetly deployed to the Irish Sea in connection with the Ukrainian leader’s visit.

Ireland reportedly chose not to shoot the drones down and the naval vessel lacked the means to neutralise them.

Sources told The Journal that the drones were launched from northeast of Dublin and remained airborne for up to two hours. Irish police have opened an investigation, but the operators and origin of the drones remain unknown.

Law enforcement officials believe the incident may have been an attempt to disrupt Zelenskyy’s arrival, noting that the drones had their lights switched on, making them visible.

Ireland’s police commissioner was informed of the incident on the morning of December 2, with briefings also delivered to Prime Minister Micheál Martin, as well as the ministers of justice and defence. It is unclear whether Zelenskyy’s team was aware of the drone activity at the time.

Security sources told journalists that the drones detected near Dublin Airport were large, expensive and of military grade and that the incident may be classified as a hybrid attack.

President Zelenskyy arrived in Ireland late on December 2.