IISS Says Russia Likely Flew Drones Over 4 U.S. Bases in England
Updated
Updated · The War Zone · Jul 2
IISS Says Russia Likely Flew Drones Over 4 U.S. Bases in England
3 articles · Updated · The War Zone · Jul 2
Summary
IISS said Russia was highly likely behind the 2024 drone incursions over four U.S. bases in England, extending its broader assessment of a Kremlin UAV campaign across Europe.
About 170 public reports were gathered after the RAF incidents, with roughly half judged credible; IISS said the flights showed sophisticated low-altitude approaches, varied exit routes and possibly multiple drone types.
The think tank said Russian-linked shadow-fleet vessels were the most plausible launch platforms, citing the Hav Dolphin in the UK at the time and the Orlan-10's 500-km range, 12-hour endurance and petrol engine.
IISS still called the case circumstantial and said no European government has publicly tied a specific vessel to a specific incident; the UK MoD and USAFE confirmed the overflights but disclosed no attribution.
The findings add detail to a wider IISS tally of 144 suspected drone incidents across Europe since August 2024, many aimed at military and nuclear-linked sites.