Europe has received a stern warning to safeguard its airspace in light of a concerning rise in threats described as “hybrid warfare” by a top EU official. Recent unauthorized drone entries into European Union airspace have raised significant alarm, with suspicions pointing towards Russia. The President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, emphasized the need for urgent action during a speech at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
Von der Leyen highlighted the escalating threats, labeling them as part of a broader pattern and stressing the imperative for Europe to enhance its defensive capabilities to safeguard its skies. While not directly attributing all incidents to Russia, she underscored the disruptive intentions of such actions, urging a unified response from Europe.
Addressing the complexity of countering hybrid warfare tactics, von der Leyen emphasized the importance of a collective approach grounded in unity, deterrence, and resilience. Recent drone infiltrations have disrupted air travel, prompting airport closures and flight disruptions across several European countries, including Poland, Estonia, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and the Netherlands.
Despite Russia’s denial of involvement, suspicions persist, with reports linking disruptive drone activities to Russia’s clandestine operations. Amid growing concerns, political leaders, including Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, have called for robust measures to counter such threats, with suggestions even extending to intercepting and grounding the unauthorized drones.
European authorities suspect these incidents may serve as strategic probes testing NATO defenses, with drones potentially launched from covert tanker vessels to evade international sanctions. The need for enhanced vigilance and a coordinated response to such hybrid threats remains a top priority for European nations.
