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Macron Says CIA Warned No France on Russian Drones

By Drooid · Sep 24, 2026, 11:10 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

CIA Director John Ratcliffe visited Moscow on Aug. 25 and reportedly warned Spain, France and Italy of Russian Gerbera drone threat.
French President Emmanuel Macron said the CIA never warned France of such a Russian plan.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto called the alleged alert unconfirmed and unnecessary.
Gerbera drones are ~2 m long, 2.5 m wingspan, weigh up to 18 kg, fly 160 km/h, range 600 km, carry 4-5 kg warheads.

History

Historical Context

In 2014, NATO leaders convened in Newport, Wales, and declared Russian unmanned aerial systems a strategic threat to European security. Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen announced a €1.5 billion counter-UAS fund, while the United States pledged 200 air-defense batteries and Germany contributed an additional 50 surveillance drones. Today, CIA Director John Ratcliffe’s alleged warning to Spain, France and Italy about Gerbera drones echoes NATO’s 2014 alarm over Russian UAV proliferation. The significant pattern suggests European defense ministries will likely demand expanded detection networks, mirroring the 2014 NATO initiative to integrate allied radar systems.

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Story summary

CIA Director John Ratcliffe visited Moscow on Aug. 25 and reportedly warned Spain, France and Italy of Russian Gerbera drone threat.
French President Emmanuel Macron said the CIA never warned France of such a Russian plan.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto called the alleged alert unconfirmed and unnecessary.
Gerbera drones are ~2 m long, 2.5 m wingspan, weigh up to 18 kg, fly 160 km/h, range 600 km, carry 4-5 kg warheads.

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