A British police helicopter pilot faced a terrifying situation while on a mission to track down suspected enemy drones linked to the Kremlin. The pilot had to perform a sudden dive at a military base in the Suffolk countryside to evade the drones reportedly controlled by Russian forces. These drones were believed to have been launched from a shadow fleet tanker in Hull.
The pilot was tasked with investigating drone sightings above RAF Lakenheath in November 2024, a base housing American nuclear weapons. Several high-level Cobra meetings were convened following these hostile drone incidents over RAF bases including Fairford, Mildenhall, and Feltwell.
According to a source cited in The Times, the pilot had genuine concerns about a potential fatal crash, expressing fear that the drones could bring the helicopter down. The helicopter’s supervisor, from the National Police Air Service, observed red flashing lights on the drones, suspecting they were conducting surveillance over Lakenheath airfield during the operation.
Intelligence experts have accused Vladimir Putin of orchestrating the spy drone activities targeting RAF bases and nuclear facilities in the UK. A report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies revealed that drones flew over sensitive US military installations in the UK over a 15-month surveillance campaign.
The report pointed out the presence of the HAV Dolphin, a Russian-crewed cargo vessel near Hull during some of the incursions, suggesting a coordinated effort. It emphasized Russia’s ability to breach NATO airspace without triggering a collective response, posing a strategic failure for allied air defense.
The report highlighted Russia’s tactical success in exploiting Europe’s air defense vulnerabilities designed for conventional threats. The Ministry of Defence emphasized the seriousness of protecting military bases, enhancing counterdrone measures through legislation and investments in defense capabilities to counter such threats.