Irish police have launched an investigation following reports of unidentified drones operating near Dublin Airport during the arrival of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The security incident occurred late on Monday night as the president and his wife, Olena Zelenska, landed in Ireland for a historic diplomatic visit.
Security Alert and Diplomatic Tensions
The Garda Special Detective Unit (SDU) has confirmed it is leading the probe into the drone activity reported over Howth and the Irish Sea. In an official statement, authorities said the SDU would be liaising with the Irish Defence Forces and international security partners as part of the inquiry. The drones were spotted around the time Air Force One carrying the Ukrainian delegation touched down.
The visit, the first by a Ukrainian head of state to Ireland, was immediately overshadowed by diplomatic friction. On Friday, the Russian Ambassador to Ireland, Yuriy Filatov, issued a sharply worded statement criticising the trip. He suggested it merely represented "the ever-present desire of the Irish government to show loyalty to the EU anti-Russian policy line."
Ambassador Filatov went further, accusing Irish political leaders of living in an "illusionary world" regarding the conflict. He specifically criticised Taoiseach Micheál Martin for using the phrase "Slava Ukraini" (Glory to Ukraine), drawing a reprehensible comparison to "Heil Hitler."
Irish Government's Firm Rebuttal and Zelensky's Address
Responding to the ambassador's comments at the British-Irish Council summit in Cardiff, Taoiseach Martin delivered a robust defence of Ireland's stance. He highlighted the Russian diplomat's "track record" of consistent attacks and reaffirmed Ireland's condemnation of the invasion.
"The invasion of Ukraine by Russia was a fundamental, brutal violation of the United Nations Charter," Mr Martin stated. "The destruction of Ukraine, killing of so many people, and the destruction of civilian infrastructure... is reprehensible." He urged the ambassador to convey a message to Moscow to engage and end the war.
Earlier in the week, President Zelensky received a standing ovation after addressing a joint sitting of the Oireachtas. He drew powerful parallels between Ukraine's fight for sovereignty and Ireland's historical struggle for independence. He praised Ireland as one of the few European nations that truly "understands the price of freedom."
Despite Ireland's traditional military neutrality, Zelensky emphasised that the country was "certainly not an indifferent country." He expressed profound gratitude to "every Irish home" that has provided shelter to some of the 120,000 Ukrainian refugees who have arrived since 2022. The president also called on Ireland to take "an active role" in advocating for a special tribunal to address Russian aggression.
Ongoing Investigation and International Implications
The Garda investigation into the drone activity remains active, with no further details on the origin or purpose of the devices released. Such incidents near critical national infrastructure, especially during a high-profile visit by a wartime leader, are treated with the utmost seriousness by security services.
The event underscores the broader security challenges faced by European nations hosting Ukrainian officials, where symbolic visits can become flashpoints in the wider geopolitical conflict. The combination of a security scare and heated diplomatic rhetoric highlights how the war in Ukraine continues to reverberate across the continent, even in neutral states like Ireland.
