President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has warned the recent drone incursions over Europe are ‘part of a pattern of growing threats’ – calling it ‘hybrid warfare’ with Russia
Ursula von der Leyen warns of Russian incursions into European skies
Europe has been issued a stark warning to protect its skies following a “pattern of growing threats” an EU cheif called “hybrid warfare”.
The alert follows a series of mystery drone incursions into European Union airspace, which has sparked major concern among public and political figures – with some officials attributing them to Russia. President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has now warned Eruope to respond urgently during a speech in European Parliament in Strasbourg.
She said: “Make no mistake. The recent incursions in our skies are part of a pattern of growing threats. It’s time to call it by its name. This is hybrid warfare.” She added Europe must get the capacity to respond and “protect our skies.” Von der Leyen did not confirm whether Russia was responsible for all of the incidents, but said: “Russia wants to sow divison. We have to answer with unity.”
“Tackling Russia’s hybrid war is not only about traditional defence,” von der Leyen said. “This requires a new mind-set for all of us. We can either shy away and watch Russian threats escalate, or we meet them with unity, deterrence and resolve.”
Europe has been on high alert in recent weeks after a series of suspected Russian drone incursions over airspaces caused a number of airports to close down, with dozens of flights either diverted or cancelled. Nearly two dozen UAVs were flown into Poland on September 10, forcing NATO aircraft to intercept and shoot down some of the devices. Just days later, NATO jets escorted three Russian warplanes out of Estonia’s airspace.
Several more drones have since been spotted across northern Europe, including in Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands.
Moscow has consistently denied responsibility for these incidents, but a Russian shadow fleet tanker was recently detained by French authorities off the country’s western coast amid claims Russia was launching disruptive drones from it. Putin said the seizure was simply done to distract France from its own political problems.
Denmark’s prime minister Mette Frederiksen linked the drones to Moscow and called for a robust response. Last Thursday, drone sightings at Munich airport sparked the cancellation and diversion of dozens of flights, with almost 3,000 passengers left stranded on the evening of a national holiday. Politicians are now calling for a tougher response, including potentially shooting the devices down.
European governments suspect Russia is probing NATO’s defences, while drones are also believed to have been launched at sea from tankers in Putin’s ‘shadow fleet’ to dodge Western oil sanctions.