Russia’s Drone Incursions Over EU States Are Part of Hybrid Warfare, von der Leyen Says
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that Russia is waging a “hybrid war” against Europe, pointing to a surge in drone incursions and other covert operations targeting EU member states.
The Gaze reports this, referring to European Pravda.
Speaking before the European Parliament in Strasbourg during a debate on coordinated responses to recent airspace violations, von der Leyen said Moscow’s actions were not isolated provocations but part of a systematic campaign designed to destabilize Europe.
“In just the past two weeks, MiG fighters have breached Estonia’s airspace, while drones have been spotted over critical sites in Belgium, Poland, Romania, Denmark, and Germany,” she said. “Flights were grounded, jets were scrambled, and countermeasures were deployed. These are not random acts, they are deliberate operations meant to sow fear, divide our Union, and weaken Europe’s support for Ukraine.”
The Commission president described these incidents as part of a broader pattern of aggression that extends beyond the air. “Undersea cables have been cut, airports and logistics hubs have been paralyzed by cyberattacks, and our elections are being targeted by disinformation campaigns,” von der Leyen said.
She urged EU governments to treat the threat with utmost seriousness and to strengthen collective resilience. “It is time to call this by its name: hybrid warfare. A deliberate, targeted ‘grey zone’ campaign against Europe, and Europe must respond,” she emphasized.
Her remarks come amid a wave of drone-related incidents across NATO and EU airspace. On October 2, Munich Airport temporarily halted operations after unidentified drones were detected nearby. German authorities have since moved to authorize police to shoot down rogue drones, and Chancellor Friedrich Merz has publicly accused Russia of being behind many of the incursions.
As The Gaze reported earlier, on October 1, European Union leaders convened in Copenhagen for an informal summit focused on bolstering Europe’s collective defence and reaffirming long-term support for Ukraine as it resists Russia’s invasion.