Russia plans Gerbera drone attacks on Italy, France, Spain from merchant ships

US intelligence has reportedly gathered information on Russian plans for drone attacks targeting Italy, France, and Spain, according to Spanish newspaper El Mundo, which says the information was shared with European governments. The alleged plan involves launching Gerbera drones from merchant ships at sea, hidden in containers, with a range of 600 kilometers and a small explosive payload capable of causing fires or temporarily closing ports and airports. Lithuania's defense ministry source said the attacks would be justified by Moscow's claim that Western nations supporting Ukraine are legitimate targets. The warning follows CIA Director John Ratcliffe's August 25 trip to Moscow via Riga, and coincides with French President Emmanuel Macron's recent emergency defense council meeting and calls to party leaders. The reported strategy aims to test NATO limits while staying below the threshold of triggering a coordinated alliance response.