US Central Intelligence Agency officials have reportedly warned Spain, France and Italy about a possible Russian drone attack involving aircraft launched from ships in the Mediterranean, according to El Mundo. The Spanish newspaper cited an informed source close to Lithuania’s Ministry of Defense.

According to the report, the alleged scenario would not involve large-scale destruction. The expected consequences would not include prolonged airport closures or major fires.

El Mundo’s source said the suspected purpose of such an operation would be less about causing serious physical damage and more about intimidating European societies, weakening support for Ukraine and deepening divisions within NATO.

The Lithuanian source compared the possible plan to a Russian version of Ukraine’s «Spiderweb» operation. That operation involved drones concealed in trucks before they were used to strike military airfields on Russian territory.

Russia could reportedly use Gerbera drones hidden inside shipping containers for such attacks. The aircraft could then be launched from vessels operating in the Mediterranean.

El Mundo identified Spain, France and Italy as the countries facing the highest potential risk. All three are due to hold elections in 2027. The newspaper suggested that radical political forces could exploit fears of further escalation to argue for distancing their countries from support for Ukraine.

The report also said Lithuania and several other European Union countries received the warning about possible Russian attacks shortly after CIA Director John Ratcliffe traveled to Moscow on August 25. Ratcliffe’s visit to the Russian capital was separately reported by US media at the time.

Earlier Western media reports had described Europe as increasingly preparing for the possibility of a conflict with Russia and argued that escalating rhetoric among EU politicians could further increase the risk of a confrontation with severe consequences for the continent.