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A \u201cdrone war\u201d \u2013 that is how some observers describe the conflict in Ukraine. Yet drones are no longer confined to Ukrainian territory. In recent weeks, incidents involving drone incursions \u2013 allegedly Russian \u2013 have multiplied within the European Union\u2019s borders, fuelling anxiety and speculation about their origin and what this might mean for the future of the conflict on the bloc\u2019s doorstep.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Euronews dived into those events to find out what it means for Europe and its security.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Several incidents across Europe<\/strong><\/p>\n September was marked by a series of incursions and violations of European airspace by unidentified flying objects.\u00a0<\/p>\n On 9 September, 19 Russian drones reportedly entered Polish territory, four of which were intercepted. Four days later, similar aircraft were observed in Romania, while last week flights were disrupted at Copenhagen and Oslo airports after drones were spotted nearby.\u00a0<\/p>\n Those drones are believed to be small distance drones according to Robert Garbett, founder and chief executive of Drone Major Group: “It is likely that the drones used in this attack were Hybrid VTOL systems purely due to the length of the incursion. Rotary winged systems can generally only operate for up to one hour unless powered by hydrogen or petroleum” -meaning that the drones were piloted from nearby the zone of incursion.<\/p>\n Even if no attacks happened, Garbett noted that such drone incursions always represent a risk: “They could carry explosive devices for release or detonation by kamikaze action. These incursions could disrupt and damage our economies, gather data on our Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) and sew fear and division amongst Western populations.”<\/p>\n In France, during the night of 21\u201322 September, drones flew over a military base. For now, it remains unclear whether the operators were hostile actors or amateur onlookers.\u00a0<\/p>\n An origin hard to prove<\/strong><\/p>\n This ambiguity is precisely what makes such incidents so complex.\u00a0<\/p>\n Christophe Gomart, French MEP and former national director of military intelligence, suggested three possible explanations: \u201cInterference that causes drones to lose control, deliberate provocations designed to test reactions, or attempts to assess the defensive capacities of Poland, Romania, and by extension the EU and NATO.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n For Michel Li\u00e9geois, professor of international relations at the University of Louvain, fostering doubts over the origin smacks of Russian strategy.<\/p>\n \u201cHybrid warfare aims to destabilise European countries and disrupt key infrastructures, such as public transport. Slowing air traffic causes economic losses and fuels public frustration,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n But he cautioned against jumping to conclusions: not every incident can automatically be linked to Moscow, though the frequency suggests deliberate destabilisation.\u00a0<\/p>\n While drones identified in Poland and Estonia were confirmed to be Russian, those observed in Denmark and Norway are still under investigation.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cViolations of Polish airspace and the disruptions at Danish airports were deliberate and coordinated actions,\u201d Estonian MEP Riho Terras, vice-chair of the European Parliament\u2019s Security and Defence Committee, said more directly.<\/p>\n But he acknowledged that definitive proof is elusive \u2013 a familiar pattern in the Baltic region, where suspected Russian sabotage has often gone unproven.\u00a0<\/p>\n General Gomart noted that Denmark\u2019s strong support for Ukraine could make it a likely target, while also warning that curiosity or attention-seeking behaviour by individuals cannot be excluded: \u201cSome so-called \u2018useful idiots\u2019 might launch their own drones, which only heightens legitimate fears.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n For Li\u00e9geois, the very uncertainty is part of the strategy: \u201cThe lack of clarity over motives and perpetrators magnifies public anxiety.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Russia has denied any involvement \u2013 but several experts believe it has much to gain.\u00a0<\/p>\n Political messages rather than military objectives?<\/strong><\/p>\n Italian MEP Salvatore De Meo argued that President Putin is \u201ctesting the reactions of EU countries and the West in general. I do not think there are specific military objectives, rather political messages. I do not believe Putin wishes to trigger a third world war.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Despite repeated provocations, Europeans have remained relatively united, Li\u00e9geois noted, with Russia surprised at the EU\u2019s cohesion and rapid reaction since the start of the war in Ukraine.\u00a0<\/p>\n Duquesne echoed this view: \u201cDrone incursions in Europe show that civil societies are now targets in their own right. The challenge is not only to neutralise a technical threat, but to preserve citizens\u2019 trust and sense of security.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Is the EU prepared for drone incursions?<\/strong><\/p>\n Estonian MEP Riho Terras is concerned about EU preparedness. \u201cEurope\u2019s peacetime drone defences are worryingly poor,” he said, adding: “Countries on the eastern flank were not prepared to respond to low-cost provocations with appropriate tools. We cannot afford to counter cheap drones with expensive missiles or jets.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Some countries, such as France, have demonstrated their ability to protect against drones \u2013 notably with the anti-drone system deployed during the summer of 2024 for the Olympic Games. But such measures are not widespread.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n There are\u00a0disparities between member states: while some have advanced counter-drone systems, others rely on limited surveillance. Threat perception also varies across the bloc, with eastern countries viewing Russia as the main danger, while southern states focus on issues such as irregular migration.\u00a0<\/p>\n General and lawmaker Gomart stressed that Europe must \u201cfirst build up its muscle before showing it. At present, Europe is not particularly fit.\u201d He pointed to the need for investment in new technologies such as laser weapons capable of neutralising drones without harming civilian populations.\u00a0<\/p>\n The EU\u2019s \u2018drone wall\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n Last week, the European Commission floated the idea of a \u201cdrone wall\u201d \u2013 a detection and response network along the EU\u2019s eastern flank. This system would, supposedly detect and destroy<\/a> suspicious drones entering the EU.\u00a0<\/p>\n This initiative brought together ten member states: Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Finland \u2013 with the participation of Ukraine, the country with the most advanced drones’ capabilities<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n