U.S. intelligence has provided several European governments with information about a possible Russian operation involving drones against Spain, France or Italy, including the possibility of launching the drones from merchant vessels in international waters.
According to information reportedly received by Lithuanian authorities, Russia could use Gerbera drones for such an operation. The drone is about 2 meters long, has a wingspan of 2.5 meters and weighs up to 18 kg. Its stated maximum range is 600 km, while its speed is about 160 km/h.
Several such drones could be transported by a merchant vessel in containers and then launched from the ship. The report says that the Gerbera can carry a small explosive charge, which would not be enough to destroy a large structure but could cause a fire, damage exposed equipment, or temporarily shut down a port or airport, according to El Mundo.
In June 2025, the Ukrainian publication Defense Express had already examined the possibility of launching Gerbera drones from ships. The report mentioned earlier demonstration launches of drones from a moving vessel by Russian company ZALA, as well as experiments from a maritime platform in 2024.
A separate incident occurred in February 2026 in the Øresund Strait. A Swedish military unit detected a drone that, according to the information cited in the report, had taken off from the Russian intelligence ship Zhigulevsk. Sweden intervened in the drone’s operation and described its flight as a violation of airspace.
El Mundo also links the emergence of this information to a visit by CIA Director John Ratcliffe to Moscow on August 25. According to the publication, several European governments received information about a possible drone operation after the visit.
Russia could launch Gerbera drones from ships to attack Spain, France and Italy.
