Macron denies reports of CIA warning about Russian drone attack
French President Emmanuel Macron has denied media reports that the US Central Intelligence Agency allegedly warned Paris about an impending Russian drone attack.
Macron said this on the evening of September 24 during a TV interview with TF1 and France 2. The French president was asked about reports of a possible Russian drone attack launched from ships in the Mediterranean Sea against targets in France and other Southern European countries.
Macron stated that the published information does not correspond to reality and that the CIA had not transmitted such a warning to French authorities.
At the same time, the president stressed that Europe is indeed witnessing rising tensions and an increase in hostile actions. He recalled that last week he gathered leaders of French political parties to discuss the deteriorating international situation and related security threats.
Macron also stated that Russia views Europe as a "strategic rear base of Ukraine" and, in his assessment, is intensifying hybrid activity in European countries. At the same time, he noted that no sabotage comparable to incidents that French authorities link to Russia in other European countries has yet occurred on French territory.
Earlier, the Spanish newspaper El Mundo, citing sources, reported that American intelligence had allegedly circulated a warning among European governments about a possible Russian operation against France, Spain, or Italy. The publication claimed that Gerbera drones launched from commercial ships in the Mediterranean Sea could be used for such an operation.
According to the newspaper's sources, such drones could be used not for large-scale destruction, but for damaging infrastructure, causing fires, or temporarily disrupting the operation of airports and ports. This information was initially not officially confirmed by either American or French authorities.
Despite the denial of the specific report of a CIA warning, French leadership continues to strengthen measures against hybrid threats. Previously, Macron instructed the government to prepare a plan to protect critical infrastructure and defense industry facilities from drones and cyberattacks.
Sources: RTL, Le Progrès
