Healthy processed event from Hybrid War Tracker
Headline: Here come the drones: how can Europe “keep calm and carry on”?
Short Summary: In September 2025, coordinated Russian drone incursions disrupted multiple EU airports and airspace, prompting EU and NATO efforts to develop multilayered drone defenses and legal frameworks amid concerns of ongoing hybrid warfare threats.
In early September 2025, 21 Russian drones entered Polish airspace from Belarus, flying 200 km inland in a deliberate provocation. Multiple drone incursions disrupted civilian and military airports across Poland, Denmark, Norway, Germany, and beyond, causing flight cancellations, airport closures, and significant passenger disruption. The Boracay, a Benin-registered oil tanker linked to Russia's shadow fleet, was intercepted by the French Navy suspected of involvement in drone launches off Denmark’s coast, though no confirmed link exists. European leaders recognize a pressing vulnerability in counter-drone defenses and are pursuing a multilayered 'Drone Wall' system combining sensors, counter-drones, lasers, jammers, missiles, naval frigates, and fighter aircraft. The EU and NATO are engaged in enhanced cooperation, with countries deploying additional fighter jets, anti-drone equipment, and air defense systems to eastern Europe. The drone threat represents a form of hybrid warfare—cost-effective, deniable, and disruptive—exemplified in Ukraine, where drones account for 78% of military casualties near the frontline. EU responses are reactive rather than anticipatory, with air defense costs far exceeding drone costs. Legal and operational frameworks for drone airspace management are under review, with calls for aligned law enforcement and military roles and clearer engagement rules. Critical infrastructure protection and interdiction of hostile drone launches within EU territory are priorities, alongside stronger intelligence sharing and judicial action. The European Commission is tasked with developing a comprehensive drone strategy roadmap. Persistent hybrid warfare drone threats from Russia, including GPS jamming and undersea cable sabotage, underscore Europe's urgency to improve drone defense capabilities, legal frameworks, and EU-NATO synergy.
The event details deliberate Russian drone incursions into NATO/EU airspace causing widespread disruption, a clear aggressor action. Simultaneously, multiple EU/NATO states respond with countermeasures including fighter jets, missile batteries, frigates, legislation, and strategic planning demonstrating defense preparations.
Add a source URL for enrichment
Prefer one-click submissions? Install the HWT Chrome extension from the Web Store. Get extension .