Rising Drone Threats in Europe: An Unsettling New Reality

Mon Nov 17 2025 04:54:17 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Unmanned drones have been increasingly spotted at key sites across Europe, raising security concerns amid ongoing geopolitical tensions with Russia. Experts weigh in on the implications and necessary defenses.

Mysterious drone sightings near airports and military installations across Europe, particularly in NATO countries, have heightened security fears amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. Intelligence officials suggest these incursions may symbolize a form of hybrid warfare. Experts are debating the potential establishment of a protective 'drone wall', although skepticism about its efficacy remains. The situation prompts discussions about whether Europe should respond more aggressively against drone launches originating from hostile territories.

Mysterious drones have been spotted at night at airports across Europe. How worried should we be?

First comes the warning, that disembodied voice over the tannoy: Your attention please. Air siren in the city. Please move to the shelter on the minus second floor. Then comes the mosquito-like whine of the incoming Russian drones, massing in their hundreds just above the clouds.

These are attack drones that explode on impact. Drones are now an integral part of modern warfare, but they are not confined to the battlefield.

Across western Europe, far from Ukraine, unarmed drones have also been found buzzing around airports, military bases, and power plants, all part of a suspected programme of hybrid warfare being waged by Russia, with some speculating they're arriving to test the resilience of certain NATO countries that are helping Ukraine.

A wake-up call to Europe

On 9 September, around 20 Russian drones overshot Ukraine and flew into Poland, forcing the closure of four airports. NATO jets were scrambled and several of the drones were shot down - the rest crashed across Poland, scattering debris in multiple regions. This marked one of the largest breaches of NATO airspace since the war in Ukraine began.

Following these incidents, NATO has begun discussions about establishing a drone wall—a multi-layered defence system designed to protect various regions in Europe from drone incursions. Experts emphasize this plan’s need for careful consideration regarding effectiveness and realism.

Further complicating matters are the mysterious drones that have recently emerged around key infrastructure in Europe. Reports of these drones have come from several countries including Belgium, Denmark, and Poland. They are thought to be unarmed and potentially serve surveillance purposes, though the identity and origin of operators remain unknown. Speculation points to Russian links, as Moscow is believed to be leveraging proxies for these operations.

Challenges and Solutions

Experts advocate for robust counter-drone technologies, exploring both hard kill methods, which destroy drones, and soft kill techniques that incapacitate them electronically. Yet there are concerns regarding the feasibility of implementing a comprehensive drone defence system across the extensive European airspace.

Ultimately, while efforts are being directed towards defending against drone threats, the bigger question remains: should NATO also consider targeting the sources of these threats directly? The implications of such an action could escalate tensions dramatically, suggesting that a defensive approach may be more prudent, but certainly not without its complexities.