Russian drone flies over Italian research and defence facilities – Corriere della Sera

An unidentified drone, thought to be of Russian origin, has been spotted flying over Northern Italy. It flew five times above the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) in Ispra over the course of one week.

Source: Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera

Details: JRC specialists recorded at least five drone flights using their experimental surveillance system.

"The drone operator focused primarily on the area of the JRC, which houses advanced laboratories and research infrastructure," Corriere della Sera wrote.

In addition, within a radius of several dozen kilometres from where the drone was sighted, there are key strategic facilities belonging to the Leonardo defence company, which is involved in developing aircraft and aerospace technologies. The Helicopter Training Academy in Sesto Calende is the nearest of these, just over 10 kilometres away. Also nearby is a helicopter unit in Vergiate, where modern military and civilian aircraft are produced.

Quote: "The possibility that this drone was conducting reconnaissance or focusing specifically on the JRC research centre is cause for serious concern. The drone could be equipped with high-tech cameras and instruments capable of detailed night surveillance, three-dimensional mapping and capturing critical infrastructure."

Details: It is currently unknown whether the drone also flew over other regional strategic facilities. Italian intelligence services are investigating its origin and the purpose of its flights.

For reference: The JRC research centre in Ispra is the third largest European Commission scientific complex after Brussels and Luxembourg. It has been operational for over 65 years and specialises in nuclear research, security, space, sustainable development and transport.

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