German police have launched an investigation into suspected cases of Russian espionage after drones were spotted over several military installations in Bavaria, according to a statement on Monday.

Against the backdrop of Russia’s war on Ukraine, it could not be ruled out that German military installations and defence companies were being spied on by drones, Bavaria’s State Office of Criminal Investigation said.

The latest incident occurred late on Sunday when a drone was spotted over a military base near Manching, police said, referring to a vast facility where the German forces test new manned and unmanned aircraft.

Drones were seen over the base near Manching on three days in December, the statement said. Another unauthorized overflight happened that same month over a military installation in Neuburg an der Donau.

[…]

Investigators pointed to a series of unauthorized drone overflights at sites including military facilities, LNG and oil terminals, seaports and logistics companies as examples of suspected sabotage by Russian state actors in recent months.

[…]