A defense expert has publicly challenged a report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) that claimed mysterious drones spotted over Volkel airbase in late 2025 originated from Russian vessels in the North Sea.
Defense analyst Patrick Bolder stated that the evidence presented by the IISS is insufficient to support such a conclusion.
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He referred to earlier statements from government officials about the nature of the sighted objects.
Former State Secretary of Defense Gijs Tuinman had previously said on the television program WNL Op Zondag that the sightings involved small commercial drones available at retail stores.
Bolder noted that these retail models lack the operational range to fly from the North Sea to Volkel.
According to Omroep Brabant, the IISS maintained a high probability of Russian involvement due to the presence of naval ships in the area and alignment with hybrid warfare strategies.
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Bolder contested this logical leap.
The analyst emphasized that without visual confirmation or technical identification of the aircraft, attributing ownership or origin remains impossible.
He also pointed out that the IISS receives funding from several major defense corporations, including BAE Systems.
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Bolder suggested the timing of the report aligns with corporate interests, as the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara on July 7-8 could draw extra attention to anti-drone systems developed by such companies.
