Could we be witnessing the onset of a new cold war as reports emerge of Russian espionage activities involving drones at RAF bases in East Anglia?
Communities living near three Royal Air Force stations have been left startled by a surge in unauthorized drone sightings, which have reportedly more than doubled over the past year.
The incidents have been recorded at RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, as well as at the nearby RAF Feltwell in Norfolk.
Over the last twelve months, these drone intrusions have sparked significant alarm among local residents and authorities alike.
In response to this escalating issue, new regulations now permit military forces to shoot down drones that infringe upon or hover near these bases.
Previously, the authority to tackle unregistered drone activity was solely in the hands of the police.
The move has been welcomed by villagers due to potential threats from Russia causing anxiety.
Christine Brown, 71, and husband Malcolm, 75, are retired horticulturalists who used to own a nursery a stones throw from RAF Mildenhall and still live a short walk away.
Having lived in the area all their lives, Christine said: ‘I’m very concerned to hear drones are flying over us, you don’t know what they’re spying on and taking photographs of.
‘It’s all a bit ‘James Bond’ and Cold War-like”.
Are we entering a new cold war zone with Russians spying on East Anglian RAF airbases using unregistered drones?
Residents near three RAF bases, have been shocked and spooked by reports of an increase in illegal drone activity – believed to in part be of Russia’s making
Malcolm remarked: ‘The base is a very good neighbour, they try not to fly much at night, but I welcome the increased power they’ve been given to shoot down any rogue drones. You cant be too careful’.
Tanya Marrington, 58, whose home backs onto the Mildenhall base, only moved to her bungalow two years ago following her retirement due to an illness.
She declined to be photographed but commented: ‘I was happy to come here to live knowing there’d be Americans at the base too, I love Americans, but the thought of Russians using drones to spy on us frightens me. I’m really glad they can be shot down now’.
The Daily Mail spoke to two plane spotters who had driven from Wolverhampton to watch and photograph the military aircraft taking off and landing at the Mildenhall base.
Builders merchant, Lewis Shinton, 33, and girlfriend, Sophie Key, 24, were enjoying watching planes when Lewis’s CB radio heard the control tower announce the presence of unauthorised drone activity at 3,000 ft.
Not only was the drone illegally present, but far higher than the maximum height of 400 ft, allowed under current regulations.
Sophie said: ‘That has freaked me out. What on Earth was that doing here?’
Lewis added: ‘There is so much information you can get using a drone and it concerns me that any sensitive data could potentially fall into Russian hands.’
At the adjoining village of West Row, a community garden offers a green space for locals to grow vegetables and interact with their neighbours.
One member who delivers bread to elderly people during the winter when they can’t meet at the community garden, Rosalind Hamill, who is retired and also concerned about the drones, reflected: ‘It’s been going on for quite a few years now and I’m sure Russian spies are monitoring our airspace and our military bases.
‘We do need to be vigilant and I welcome the new powers which will help keep our small communities safe’
Builders merchant, Lewis Shinton, 33, and girlfriend, Sophie Key, 24, were enjoying watching planes and shocked by the news there could be spies about
Whilst Mildenhall is a supply base for aircraft fuel and spare parts, nearby Lakenheath is the base for fighter jets. It frequently attracts crowds of plane enthusiasts, and indeed there are designated areas for this activity.
One of whom, Maxine McMillan, 56, lives locally and is a keen amateur video maker. She uploads her plane spotting videos onto YouTube.
‘I moved here because I love planes and making videos of them,’ she said, ‘And I do have quite a following on line – particularly from women.’
Maxine expressed grave concerns about the possibility of drones spying on the base. ‘Whilst I’m sure the authorities have any illegal activity under control, I welcome the new powers to shoot down drones,’ she said.
Due north of the Suffolk airbases is RAF Feltwell. The nearby village has a handful of small shops lining the main access road to the base.
A business owner, who wished to remain anonymous, said: ‘I used to regularly take walks around the base but now security has become very tight it’s a real shame it has to be this way.
‘I’m concerned about the increase in the use of drones, however, my mate has one and even if he flies it some way away from the base, a signal gets intercepted and it’s pushed away by RAF radar.’
He feels recent activity is clearly not by amateur drones flying over the base, but sophisticated equipment.
The move has been welcomed by villagers due to potential threats from Russia causing anxiety
Servicemen told the Mail they were also worried about the protection of UK airbases
A retired former cleaner who worked at Addenbrookes hospital in Cambridge, Anita Meadows, 70, whose home overlooks Feltwell, is very worried about recent drone activity.
‘I believe Putin could be behind all this. When I worked at the hospital, many of my colleagues were Russian and they feared him.
‘They thought he was capable of anything, and that was ten years ago.’
She went on to explain how there were no longer open days, like the fourth of July, on the base, which she said was a great day out.
Amid increasing concerns for security, this view was echoed by an American serviceman who had been stationed at one of the bases and now returning to the USA.
He cannot be named but said: ‘I am very worried for the protection of British airbases and our priority must be to protect them, so the shooting down of unauthorised drones is essential.’
