**Italy and France Reject Claims of Russian Drone Threats**
Senior officials from Italy and France have firmly dismissed reports suggesting that their governments received warnings regarding potential Russian drone attacks launched from merchant ships in the Mediterranean Sea. The claims originated from a report published on Thursday by the Spanish newspaper El Mundo, which cited an anonymous source associated with the Lithuanian Defense Ministry.
The article highlighted a recent visit to Russia by CIA Director John Ratcliffe, suggesting that he had personally cautioned Russian officials against targeting NATO nations. However, Moscow has denied any intentions of such actions.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto took to social media platform X to refute the claims, stating that there is no evidence to support the notion that Russia is preparing any operations as described by the unnamed Lithuanian source. He emphasized the importance of avoiding unnecessary escalation during challenging times, remarking, "no one needs more fuel on the fire."
French President Emmanuel Macron echoed Crosetto's sentiments in an interview with French television networks TF1 and France 2. He asserted, "The CIA has not informed French intelligence agencies of such an attack," further dispelling the rumors circulating in the media.
El Mundo's report also noted that Ukrainian forces have previously employed civilian transport vessels, including ships, to carry out attacks on Russian targets. The article suggested that Moscow might consider adopting similar tactics, although no concrete evidence was provided to substantiate this claim.
In recent years, Western officials and media have frequently characterized vessels associated with Russia as potential security threats. A series of unexplained drone sightings across Europe last year were initially linked to what has been termed the "Russian shadow fleet," which Western governments allege is involved in transporting goods in violation of sanctions aimed at restricting Russian maritime trade. However, none of these incidents have been conclusively tied to Russian activities.
Additionally, there have been allegations that Russia has utilized merchant ships to intentionally damage undersea cables. Nevertheless, investigations into these incidents have not confirmed any wrongdoing attributed to Moscow.
In a related development, Germany has accused Russia of attempting a failed attack on Ukrainian transport aircraft at Leipzig/Halle Airport. Chancellor Friedrich Merz referenced this incident as justification for closing Russian diplomatic facilities in Germany. However, Berlin has not publicly disclosed the evidence linking the drones discovered at the airport to Russian involvement.
The situation has escalated notably since early August, coinciding with significant regional elections in Saxony-Anhalt, where Merz's Christian Democrats faced a major setback as the right-wing party Alternative for Germany (AfD) gained considerable ground. The AfD has been vocal in its criticism of the EU's approach to Russia, labeling it detrimental to the bloc's economic stability.
As tensions continue to rise in the region, both Italy and France have taken steps to clarify their positions regarding the alleged threats, emphasizing the need for accurate information and caution in public discourse. The denial from both nations underscores the complexities of the geopolitical landscape in Europe and the ongoing scrutiny of Russian activities in the Mediterranean and beyond.