CIA warns Russia may strike Spain, France, Italy with ship-launched drones

The CIA has warned European allies that Russia may launch 600-kilometer-range Gerbera drones from commercial ships against targets in Spain, France, or Italy, according to Spanish media reports. The alert, traced to CIA Director John Ratcliffe's August visit to Moscow, describes a low-cost attack using small, hard-to-detect drones with limited explosive payloads, intended for symbolic disruption rather than mass destruction. Russia has already tested maritime drone launches, including from a vessel in the Öresund Strait. Analysts say Moscow targets politically vulnerable southern states lacking integrated air defenses, with NATO's Mark Rutte noting a missile would reach Madrid only ten minutes later than Warsaw. The threat coincides with Spain's low defense spending, tensions with Washington, and documented Russian asset ties on the Costa del Sol.