RAF reports two unidentified drone sightings over North Sea in February
Written by AI from 6 reports listed below. Not checked by a person before publication. How we use AI
On February 18 an RAF Airbus Voyager tanker refuelling a Typhoon off Cromer, Norfolk saw an unidentified object at about 17,000 ft, and on February 23 a Typhoon practising dogfights about 30 miles off Humberside observed a black circular object at roughly 300 ft.
Both objects were not detected on the aircrafts’ radar screens, and they were operating above the legal limit for commercial drones, which is 400 ft in the UK and 120 m according to the Civil Aviation Authority. The incidents were reported to police and are under external investigation, and the RAF said the UK is investing more than £2 billion in air‑defence and anti‑drone capabilities.
A report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, covering a drone campaign from August 2024 to February 2026, concluded the drones were likely launched from the Kremlin’s “shadow fleet” of oil tankers transporting sanctioned fuel.
Analysed 6 reports from 5 publishers
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