Drone Neutralized Near French Carrier in Sweden

France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated on Friday that if a Russian link is confirmed regarding a drone neutralized near the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in Sweden, it would be considered a “ridiculous provocation.”

The Swedish military took down the drone of unknown origin on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, more than 10 km from the carrier, which was docked in Malmö as part of a mission in the region.

The Incident Details

• Location: Malmö, Sweden, near the Öresund Strait.
• Action: Swedish Navy vessel detected and jammed the drone, causing it to lose contact.
• Suspected Origin: Sweden’s Defense Minister Pål Jonson stated the drone “probably” came from Russia, citing a Russian military vessel operating nearby at the time.

Reactions and Context

While France currently lacks direct evidence linking Russia to the specific drone, French officials have expressed strong concern about potential hybrid tactics.

“If indeed, as the [Swedish] defence minister suggested, there is a potential Russian origin for this incident, the only conclusion I would draw is that this is a ridiculous provocation.” — Jean-Noël Barrot, French Foreign Minister

The Kremlin has dismissed the allegations as “absurd.” This incident is part of a series of suspicious drone sightings across NATO countries in recent months, frequently linked to Russian activity.