Urgent Call for Investigation into Potential Russian Drone Surveillance at UK Air Bases
The Government is facing mounting pressure to initiate an immediate investigation into suspected connections between Russian operatives and recent drone sightings over key UK air bases. On Friday, The i Paper reported that three individuals, linked to Russian military and intelligence operations, had been spotted staying in proximity to highly classified UK air bases where these suspicious drones were observed.
One of the individuals was positioned just meters from the perimeter of RAF Mildenhall on a day when drones were actively flown over the area. It is believed that at least two of these individuals had worked as seasonal fruit pickers, visiting fields near the airbases during nighttime hours.
This revelation raises serious concerns regarding potential Russian involvement in the incidents reported at RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk during November 2024. Terry Jermy, the Labour MP for South West Suffolk—home to one of the bases—has emphasized the necessity of strengthening ties with NATO allies. In a letter to Defence Secretary John Healey, he demanded an urgent inquiry into these troubling reports.
Mr. Jermy stated, “The reports underscore the urgent need for an inquiry into the allegations of Russian involvement in the operation of swarms of drones over Royal Air Force and military airbases including RAF Mildenhall, Lakenheath, and Feltwell. The notion that the Kremlin could recruit agents residing in the UK is both alarming and disheartening for my constituents, highlighting the genuine threat Russia poses to our security and way of life.”
He continued, “Russia appears to consider foreign policy as a zero-sum game, where any action that undermines the West is viewed as advantageous for Russia. It has now been three years since Russia launched its full-scale, illegal invasion of sovereign Ukraine.”
Political Reactions and Calls for Accountability
Mr. Jermy is not alone in his concerns; he has become the third MP to reach out to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) requesting an investigation into these incidents. His appeals follow those of Julian Lewis, the former chair of the Defence Committee, and Nick Timothy, the MP for West Suffolk, which houses two RAF airbases.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp has also urged Parliament’s Security and Intelligence Committee (ISC) to urgently review these findings. He remarked, “This is extremely alarming. It appears that Russian agents have been allowed to conduct active reconnaissance near sensitive military bases, representing a complete failure of security protocols. Individuals with ties to Russian security agencies should not have access to our country.”
Philp added, “If The i Paper can identify these individuals, it stands to reason that the Government should be able to do so as well. This matter requires immediate attention from the Intelligence and Security Committee.”
The House of Commons Defence Committee has indicated it will consider evidence regarding suspected Russian links to drone sightings as part of its inquiry into “grey-zone” activity by hostile states. The ISC has been approached for comment.
The evidence linking Russia to the drone sightings emerges from a database of open-source location data, shared with this newspaper by a former intelligence official monitoring hostile state cyber activities. While it does not serve as definitive proof of Russian involvement, former intelligence officials have suggested that the data reflects the workings of Russian influence operations.
This database has been made available to UK and US officials investigating Kremlin involvement in the drone incidents at airbases housing advanced US Air Force aircraft and defense technology. A senior former British military intelligence official, who has reviewed the database, indicated that it points to significant Russian “grey-area activity”—a term used for espionage operations conducted during times of tension between nations.
Calls for Diplomatic Action
In response to these concerns, Conservative shadow Security Minister Alicia Kearns has advocated for the Russian ambassador to the UK to be summoned to the Foreign Office for an explanation regarding the suspected links to drone sightings over UK air bases. She stated, “Any attempt by Russian intelligence to conduct espionage or interfere with UK or allied defense and civil infrastructure warrants a decisive response. The Russian Ambassador should have been called in for questioning; if this has not occurred, we must ask why not?”
Kearns emphasized, “The Government must act swiftly by launching a thorough investigation to identify and either apprehend or declare these individuals as persona non grata. It is crucial that this information is shared with our allies so they can take appropriate action as well.”
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence stated, “We will refrain from commenting on specific operational security matters. However, the public can be assured that we take all threats seriously and maintain robust security measures at our defense sites.” Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the US Air Forces Europe confirmed that small unmanned aerial systems were observed in the vicinity of RAF Lakenheath, Mildenhall, and Feltwell between November 20 and 22, noting that the number and configuration of these systems varied.
They further explained, “The UASs were actively monitored, and installation leaders determined that none of the incursions posed a risk to base residents or critical infrastructure. To protect operational security, we do not disclose specific force protection measures, but we maintain the right to safeguard our installations. We continue to monitor our airspace and collaborate with host-nation authorities and mission partners to ensure the safety of base personnel, facilities, and assets.”
