An unmanned drone caused limited damage at Akrotiri Base shortly after midnight, according to Cypriot government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis, who reported that security protocols were immediately activated and there is continuous coordination with the British government and the administration of the British bases.
In a post on platform X, Konstantinos Letymbiotis noted that, according to information received by the Cypriot government at various levels, the incident involved an unmanned drone, which caused only “limited damage.”
“The competent authorities immediately activated the prescribed security protocols and are monitoring the situation in continuous coordination with the British government as well as with the administration of the British bases,” he stated.
The government spokesperson added that more information will be provided for updates, as the assessment of the situation is ongoing.
Σε σχέση με περιστατικό που σημειώθηκε λίγο μετά τα μεσάνυχτα στη Βάση Ακρωτηρίου,σύμφωνα με ενημέρωση που λήφθηκε σε διάφορα επίπεδα, πρόκειται για μη επανδρωμένο drone το οποίο προκάλεσε περιορισμένες ζημιές.
Οι αρμόδιες αρχές ενεργοποίησαν άμεσα τα προβλεπόμενα πρωτόκολλα…
— Λετυμπιώτης Κων/νος (@letymbiotis) March 2, 2026
National Security Council in continuous session
As announced, the National Security Council is in continuous session under the President of the Republic, with the objective of monitoring developments and coordinating the competent services.
The incident occurred during a period of intense geopolitical escalation in the region, against the backdrop of the military operation by the United States and Israel against Iran.
Statement from the British Ministry of DefenseAt the same time, the UK Ministry of Defence announced that British forces responded to an “alleged drone strike” at the RAF base in Akrotiri on Sunday night to Monday.
“Our armed forces are responding to an alleged drone strike at RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus, which occurred at midnight,” a ministry spokesperson said, clarifying that this refers to Cyprus local time and Greece time.
No casualties have been reported so far, while investigations and data assessment continue.
Explosions at RAF Akrotiri British air base in Limassol
Powerful explosions were heard at midnight on Sunday at the RAF Akrotiri British air base in Limassol, Cyprus, following reports that the facility possibly came under attack from an Iranian drone, in an episode that occurred approximately one hour after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer gave permission to the United States to use British bases for “defensive” strikes against Iranian missile targets.
According to information from politis.com, a message received by residents in the area states that a small drone crashed into the RAF Akrotiri runway and all competent services have been mobilized. There are no injuries, but minor material damage has been recorded.
“There is an ongoing security threat. Please return to your homes and remain inside until further official announcement. Move away from windows and take cover behind or under heavy, solid furniture. Please await further instructions.
A small drone crashed into the RAF Akrotiri runway and all competent services have been mobilized. There are no injuries, but minor material damage has been recorded. However, the incident is still ongoing. Please remain in position and await further instructions.
However, the incident is still ongoing. Please remain in position and await further instructions.”
Initial journalistic information reported that an Iranian drone crashed into the base, causing at least minor damage to the landing strip, while Typhoon fighter jets and other assets had been activated to intercept potential attacks. Unconfirmed reports on social media and articles mention a possible Shahed 136-type drone, an unmanned attack aircraft that has been used in recent Iranian attacks in the Middle East
Cyprus at war pic.twitter.com/4cLnTHMk2B
— Lebanese Fella 🇱🇧🇺🇦🇫🇷 (@LbfIntel) March 1, 2026
Instructions to remain indoors
According to the Cyprus Mail newspaper, base personnel were informed of the threat and received instructions to immediately return to their homes and remain indoors “until further notice.” Those inside the facilities were called to move away from windows and take cover behind or under heavy and solid furniture, awaiting further instructions.
Israeli Channel 14 reported that there is “suspicion of an aviation accident” at the base, noting that a loud explosion was heard in the area while an alarm sounded.
Other information, also from Israel, spoke of a drone crash.
The Cypriot newspaper “Politis” spoke of the “crash of an unknown object within the military fenced area in Akrotiri.”
The base faced a “security threat,” reports Cyprus Mail. Personnel were called to return to their residences and stay in closed spaces, away from windows awaiting newer instructions.
Cypriot SigmaLive notes that it is not known whether the threat that activated the alarm is a preventive measure within the framework of broader regional tension. It also adds that it tried to speak with competent sources without response.
Fighter jet takeoff and reports of Iranian strike
Two Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets, as well as an Airbus KC2 Voyager refueling aircraft, reportedly took off from RAF Akrotiri base, following reports that an Iranian drone or missile struck the base.
On Sunday, British fighters shot down an Iranian unmanned aircraft heading towards Qatar, as part of coordinated defensive operations.
#RAF Royal Air Force – Middle East Activity
1 March – 2240zEurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 2x#43C782 ZK359 – LEROY 11#43C798 ZK370 – LEROY 12
At least two Typhoon FGR.4 appears to have been scrambled after reports of drone activity at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.@MATA_osint… https://t.co/8Sh0bMGCO5 pic.twitter.com/j3nuA2s7sl
— Armchair Admiral 🇬🇧 (@ArmchairAdml) March 1, 2026
It should be recalled that earlier British Prime Minister Keir Starmer had stated that Britain is giving permission to the US to use its bases for attacks against Iran, without it being clear whether this concerns specific installations or all.
On Sunday morning, British Defence Minister John Healey had announced that two (apparently Iranian) missiles were launched in the direction of Cyprus, information that was denied by Cypriot government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis. Furthermore, sources in Nicosia told protothema.gr that the air defense systems of the Cyprus National Guard did not detect any danger, while sources from the Israeli Armed Forces also express ignorance about missile launches towards Cyprus.
