Russian Drone Spotted Over EU Research Facility in Italy

A drone suspected to be of Russian origin has reportedly flown over the EU's Joint Research Centre headquarters in Ispra, located by Lake Maggiore in northern Italy, five times in the past month. This information was disclosed by an Italian newspaper on Sunday.

The EU Joint Research Centre, situated in the Lombardy region's Varese province, is involved in a project focused on the security implications of drone technology. Authorities in Italy have expressed concerns regarding such drones, which can be equipped with cameras and digital instruments capable of capturing detailed images at night and creating three-dimensional maps of targeted areas.

The incident has prompted an investigation by local authorities. The EU Joint Research Centre is recognized as the third-largest research campus of the European Commission, following Brussels and Luxembourg. It has been operational for 65 years and is home to numerous researchers specializing in various fields, including nuclear safety, security, aerospace, sustainable resources, and transportation.

Within a few dozen kilometers of Ispra are significant manufacturing facilities belonging to the Italian defense contractor Leonardo, particularly in the aerospace sector. Notably, Leonardo supplies Austria's air force with the multi-role helicopter model, the Leonardo AW169M.