French President Macron Addresses Potential Russian Drone Threat Amid CIA Warnings

French President Emmanuel Macron has publicly acknowledged the possibility that France could be targeted by Russian drone attacks following a series of intelligence warnings and media reports. On September 24, 2026, Macron confirmed in interviews that while France has not yet experienced such attacks, their occurrence remains plausible, referencing a recent drone attack at Leipzig airport in Germany attributed to Russia as a cautionary example.

This warning comes amid reports that the CIA issued an alert to several European nations about potential Russian drone strikes targeting southern France, as well as Spain and Italy. These drones, identified as Gerbera drones, are approximately two meters long, weigh 18 kilograms, and can carry explosives up to 600 kilometers at speeds of around 160 km/h. The drones are reportedly capable of being launched from merchant ships disguised among commercial maritime traffic in the Mediterranean. Their intended purpose appears to be politically and economically disruptive rather than causing massive destruction, with possible targets including ports, airports, and strategic sites in southern European countries.

According to reports from Spanish newspaper El Mundo, American intelligence services learned of Russia's plans during a recent CIA director visit to Moscow, sharing this information with European governments. However, Macron denied receiving any official intelligence from the CIA regarding these drone threats, criticizing the agency for not informing French services directly despite media coverage. Analysts like British military expert Keir Giles have suggested that potential attacks might focus on Europe's weakest points rather than frontline nations supporting Ukraine.

The Kremlin has justified any escalation in such threats by framing Western support for Ukraine as justification for targeting European countries. Recent months have seen increased drone-related incidents in countries supporting Ukraine, including Moldova and Denmark's assessments of possible Russian provocations aimed at distracting Europe.

Macron emphasized Russia’s view of Europe as strategic depth for Ukraine and indicated that France is implementing protection measures against such threats. He stated, "When you ask me the question 'could it happen?' my answer is yes." While the French government has not confirmed any direct alerts, the intelligence and strategic assessments point to a significant security concern for France and its European neighbors amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.