What’s New
A retired British defense chief has said that “Russian sleeper agents” could be behind the multiple mysterious drone sightings on U.S. and U.K. military bases.
Russian President Vladimir Putin may have used covert agents to gather intelligence on response times, troop numbers, and kit, Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon told the Daily Mail.
Newsweek has contacted the Russian Ministry of Defense, outside of working hours via email, for a response.
The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security said that there is “no evidence” linking the drone sightings to Russia or other foreign nations.
Why It Matters
Hundreds of drones have been reported spotted in northeastern states such as New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut, raising concerns about security threats and speculation of foreign involvement.
Drones have also been spotted over American bases in the U.K, including RAF Lakenheath, Mildenhall, and Feltwell in eastern England between November 20 and 22.
Some American officials have even called for a state of emergency to be declared, with President-elect Donald Trump and other Republican lawmakers calling for the unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to be shot down.
What To Know
Colonel de Bretton-Gordon, the former head of the UK’s Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Regiment, said: “It’s no secret that there are sleepers and stuff around. It’s espionage 2.0. It’s the next stage. So, this is absolutely the case.”
He added: “You can approach people who could do a service for you, and I expect you can pay some young kid or young person money to do it. I would have thought the Russians and Chinese were paying quite a lot.
“If you’re a young person and somebody is giving you several thousand dollars to do something that seems dead straightforward, you will do it.”
What People Are Saying
The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a joint statement saying there is no evidence the recent drone sightings in New Jersey “pose a national safety threat or have a foreign nexus.”
The Pentagon has also stated the Federal Aviation Administration reports there are 1 million drones registered with the FAA, and that more than 8,000 drones are lawfully flown in the U.S. every single day.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas also confirmed that the department is still investigating.
“There’s no question that people are seeing drones,” Mayorkas told ABC‘s George Stephanopoulos on Sunday. “But I want to assure the American public that we are on it. We are working in close coordination with state and local authorities.”
What Happens Next
Federal agencies will continue to investigate the sightings. Newsweek has broken down why it is difficult to deal with these incidents here.
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