Drone World
Monthly Bulletin
NOVEMBER 2025:
This bulletin covers developments in Europe and Scandinavia, compiled and analysed from open-source material. It provides a concise overview of military and civilian drone-related events observed throughout the month. Published by ESTA:
Military Section
Topic:
Ukraine hits Russian energy infrastructure deep inside country (Nov 23)
Summary: A long-range UAV strike ignited a major fire at the Shatura thermal power plant ~120 km east of Moscow. Multiple transformers were disabled, prompting emergency heating measures. The strike expands targeting beyond oil facilities toward core power-generation nodes. [1]
Topic:
Refineries disrupted again, Saratov halted; Ryazan fire (Nov 11–16)
Summary: UAV attacks forced Saratov refinery to stop primary processing on Nov 11, with restart unclear. Separate strikes and debris-related fires were reported at Ryazan. Repeated hits continue to stress Russia’s refining redundancy and repair logistics. [2] [3]
Topic:
NATO eastern flank accelerates counter-UAS posture (Nov 7–25)
Summary: Poland received additional US anti-drone systems and called for faster NATO measures under Operation Eastern Sentry amid repeated UAV-related incidents around Romania and the Black Sea. Deployments include mobile interceptors and jam-resilient guidance solutions. [4] [5] [6]
Topic:
Sweden expands military UAV capability and training (mid-Nov)
Summary: Swedish forces showcased upgraded tactical drone capability and expanded training, including with the 31st Ranger Battalion. Emphasis reflects lessons from Ukraine on survivability, EW navigation, and rapid vehicle-based launch procedures. [7]
Civil Section
Topic:
EASA issues DVR for Nokia LTE/5G Drone System (Nov 10)
Summary: EASA granted a Design Verification Report covering M2 High mitigation and enhanced containment for Nokia’s LTE/5G drone communication system. The approval is relevant for BVLOS link robustness and provides a strong evidence base for SORA submissions. [8]
Topic:
EASA opens first AI regulatory proposal affecting drones domain (Nov 10)
Summary: EASA released its first regulatory proposal on Artificial Intelligence for aviation, establishing a consultation track for assurance and verification of AI-enabled functions. Scope includes areas linked to drones and air mobility integration. [9]
Topic:
Norway closes Oslo Airport September drone case for lack of evidence (Nov 6)
Summary: Norwegian police ended the investigation into the September OSL disruption, citing insufficient evidence that drones were present. The case highlights verification and attribution challenges in airport-related drone incidents. [10] [11]
Topic:
Airport disruptions in Sweden and the Netherlands (Nov 6 & 22)
Summary: Gothenburg–Landvetter suspended traffic after drone sightings, while Eindhoven Airport later halted operations and Dutch forces engaged drones near Volkel Air Base. Both events are treated as potential aviation-sabotage scenarios. [12] [13]
Topic:
UK CAA reopens AMC/GM consultation for 2019/945 & 2019/947 (Nov 17)
Summary: The UK CAA launched amendments covering Remote ID, containment, and class-marked UAS clarifications. The updates align with Future of Flight initiatives and may inform operator documentation even outside the UK. [14] [15] [16]
Topic:
EASA publishes updated Easy Access Rules for Aircrew (Nov 26)
Summary: The November update consolidates several regulatory changes and includes references relevant to drone and IAM frameworks, supporting operators managing mixed crewed/uncrewed training environments. [17] [18]
Detailed Takeaways
Military Operators
- Energy-centric deep strikes: November operations showed a move beyond oil facilities toward core power-generation nodes, such as the Shatura plant. Operators should plan for redundancy in critical energy infrastructure and maintain layered counter-UAS capabilities, including mobile interceptors and jam-resilient sensing. [1] [2] [3] [6]
- Eastern flank defence posture: Deployments in Poland and NATO messages through Operation Eastern Sentry reflect a shift toward faster response options and scalable counter-swarm measures. Integrating AI-assisted tracking and ground-launched interceptors into base-defence SOPs is increasingly relevant. [4] [5] [6]
Civil Regulators / Operators
- Evidence-based BVLOS approvals: Nokia’s EASA Design Verification Report (M2 High) is a concrete precedent for technical mitigations in SORA applications. Operators should map OSOs and M2 claims directly to validated vendor test data. [8]
- Airport incident handling: The closure of the Oslo Airport investigation, combined with disruptions in Sweden and the Netherlands, underscores the need for multi-sensor verification chains and robust attribution standards before enacting airspace shutdowns. [10] [11] [12] [13]
- Forthcoming rule updates: The UK CAA’s AMC/GM amendments on Remote ID, containment, and class-marked UAS may inform documentation for operators even outside the UK, especially for those planning mixed EU–UK operations. [14] [15] [16]
- Regulatory harmonisation: EASA’s updated Easy Access Rules for Aircrew introduce clearer cross-references relevant to drone and IAM integration, supporting operators managing blended crewed/uncrewed training environments. [17] [18]
Manufacturers & R&D
- Design-for-Compliance: Documenting mitigations such as M2 High, enhanced containment, and resilient LTE/5G communication links is becoming central in BVLOS approval pathways. Manufacturers should package verification artefacts, robustness tests, and traceability logs as part of product differentiation. [8]
- AI assurance readiness: With EASA’s AI NPA now open, manufacturers should prepare datasets, verification artefacts, and explainability frameworks for autonomy functions expected to enter regulated markets in 2026 and beyond. [9]
References (Open Access)
[1] Reuters — “Ukraine strikes Russian power and heat station in Moscow region” (Nov 23, 2025)
[2] Reuters — “Russia’s Saratov oil refinery stopped after drone attacks” (Nov 14, 2025)
[3] The Guardian — “Ukraine war briefing: drones hit Russia’s Ryazan oil refinery” (Nov 15–16, 2025)
[4] Notes from Poland — “American anti-drone systems deployed in Poland” (Nov 7, 2025)
[5] Reuters — “NATO must speed up work on eastern flank drone protection, Poland says” (Nov 25, 2025)
[6] Stars and Stripes — “Merops counter-drone system training in Poland” (Nov 18, 2025)
[7] Reuters Connect — “Sweden accelerates military drone upgrades” (Nov 24, 2025)
https://www.reutersconnect.com
[8] EASA — “Nokia LTE/5G Drone System obtains EASA Design Verification Report” (Nov 10, 2025)
[9] EASA — “First regulatory proposal on Artificial Intelligence for Aviation (NPA) opens for consultation” (Nov 10, 2025)
[10] Reuters — “Norway police end Oslo Airport drone probe due to lack of evidence” (Nov 6, 2025)
[11] The Local Norway — “Police shelve investigation of Oslo Airport drone case” (Nov 7, 2025)
[12] Reuters — “Traffic halted at Sweden’s Gothenburg–Landvetter Airport after drone sighting” (Nov 6, 2025)
[13] Reuters / AeroTime — “Eindhoven Airport suspended; Dutch Air Force engaged drones over Volkel Air Base” (Nov 22–24, 2025)
[14] UK CAA Citizen Space — “Proposed Amendments to AMC & GM for UK Reg (EU) 2019/945 & 2019/947” (Opened Nov 17, 2025)
https://consultations.caa.co.uk
[15] UK CAA — Background overview for AMC/GM and drone regulation framework
[16] UK CAA Publications Index — Drone/SORA documentation and ORS9 No.0046 context
https://www.caa.co.uk/publications
[17] EASA — “EASA publishes updated Easy Access Rules for Aircrew (November 2025 Revision)” (Nov 26, 2025)
[18] EASA Pro Stream — Listing update for November 26 Aircrew publication
