Drones over military airbases including Feltwell has led to suggestion of Russian involvement

New details have emerged suggesting Russian involvement in the flying of swarms of drones over military airbases in the region with agents accused of posing as fruit pickers.

An investigation into the incidents last November – which saw several reports of unidentified aerial objects around RAF Feltwell, RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath – has identified three people with links to the country who travelled to the area.

One was said to be just metres from the perimeter of one of the bases during one of the incursions.

At least two of them are understood to have got jobs as fruitpickers in surrounding fields as they planned and reconnoitred the sites and UK intelligence agencies are investigating suggestions that they recruited Brits to fly the drones.

The investigation, which used open-source geolocation data, claims:

* One individual, who had regularly attended the Russian Embassy over the last year, flew into Britain in early May and was metres from RAF Mildenhall’s perimeter fence at a time when drones were sighted overhead in November.

* Another individual, who was present at Russia’s largest military facility in Tajikistan in February 2024, and who also arrived in the UK in May, visited remote areas around the base on several occasions before returning to the Russian military base within two months of the drone sightings;

* A third person – who had access to a Moscow facility run by the GRU, a military intelligence unit, during 2023 – flew into Stansted airport last August and visited areas around RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall throughout September and October; this individual then returned to Russia, via Turkey, and spent time in a military district on the outskirts of Moscow.

The claims come at a time of heightened international tensions over the war in Ukraine, with a growing rift between the US and other Western allies, as Donald Trump attempts to negotiate directly with Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Investigators claim that at least two of the individuals they have identified are understood to have worked as seasonal fruit pickers near the airbases and visited fields near the military sites at night.

The investigators also say UK intelligence is looking into suspicions that Russian agents recruited Brits to actually fly the drones over the military sites.

The incidents, which occurred over the course of several nights in November, saw 60 British troops deployed to the bases and a multi-agency investigation launched amid speculation the drones may have been used for reconnaissance missions.

RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall are two of the biggest US airbases in Europe and there have been moves to bring nuclear weapons back to RAF Lakenheath in future years. RAF Feltwell, which is much smaller, plays more of an intelligence and logistics role.

The origins of the drones spotted over US airbases also remain unknown.

In response to the new claims, a Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “We will not be offering a running commentary on operational security matters, however, the public can rest assured that we take threats seriously and maintain robust measures at defence sites.

“We take threats seriously and maintain robust measures at defence sites.”

A Freedom of Information request to Norfolk Police has also revealed that officers were deployed to RAF Feltwell following reports of aerial activity.

A spokesman for the force said: “We work in partnership with other Home Office Forces and Public Authorities when required to do so.”

‘FRUIT PICKERS ARE THE PERFECT COVER’

The UK relies on migrant fruit pickers in the UK, with thousands arriving every year on seasonal visas to harvest crops.

Matthew Dunn, a former MI6 intelligence officer with experience in field operations and the recruitment and running of “agents” said working as fruit pickers would provide a “perfect cover” which is indicative of Russian intelligence tradecraft.

He said: “If you are going to be operating in a rural area such as that part of Suffolk then you need to look the part, and taking on a cover of a fruit picker makes perfect sense.”

It cannot be confirmed that the individuals were employed as fruit pickers but the evidence suggests this is the case due to the location data showing them spending many days and weeks moving through nearby fields in a manner suggesting they were fruit picking.

There is no suggestion of illegal or improper activity by any company or farm where the individuals may have worked.

Intelligence sources believe Russian intelligence recruitment is becoming increasingly successful in Britain and it is thought low-level criminals motivated by money, ideology and coercion are increasingly becoming involved.

Terry Jermy, MP for South West Norfolk, believes more needs to be done to stop this trend.

He said: “This demands an immediate investigation and reassurance for local residents.

“The Kremlin being able to recruit agents living in the UK is deeply disappointing. Putin’s aggression must not be appeased at home or abroad.

“More widely it highlights the need for furthering ties with our NATO allies.”