Brussels, Oct 8 (NationPress) Addressing recent drone incursions and various airspace violations, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, stated on Wednesday that Europe is confronting a hybrid warfare scenario that necessitates a decisive response.

She described the situation as a “deliberate and targeted grey zone campaign against Europe,” emphasizing that these occurrences are not mere random disturbances but rather a “coherent and escalating campaign” aimed at unsettling citizens, testing resolve, creating divisions within the EU, and undermining support for Ukraine.

In her address during the European Parliament plenary debate regarding a unified response to recent Russian violations of EU Member States' airspace and critical infrastructure, von der Leyen urged for thorough investigations into each incident.

“Something new and perilous is taking place in our skies. Within just the past fortnight, MiG fighters have breached Estonia’s airspace, and drones have hovered over crucial sites in Belgium, Poland, Romania, Denmark, and Germany. Flights have been grounded, jets scrambled, and countermeasures activated to ensure the safety of our citizens. Let there be no doubt; this is indicative of a troubling trend of escalating threats. Across our Union, undersea cables have been severed, airports and logistics hubs have been incapacitated by cyberattacks, and elections have been targeted by malign influence campaigns.

“These incidents are designed to linger in the twilight of deniability. This is not random harassment; it is a systematic and intensifying campaign to unsettle our citizens, challenge our resolve, split our Union, and diminish our support for Ukraine. It is crucial we name this for what it is: hybrid warfare, which we must take with utmost seriousness. For those who remain skeptical, observe the reality. One incident could be an error. Two could be coincidence. But three, five, ten? This is a calculated and targeted grey zone campaign against Europe. And Europe must take action. We need to investigate every incident and be unrelenting in holding responsible parties accountable. Every single square centimeter of our territory deserves protection and safety,” she added.

The European Union chief emphasized the necessity for unity among European nations, urging the continent to urgently develop a strategic capacity ready to respond to evolving warfare dynamics. She called for collaborative efforts in developing and sustaining this capability and reiterated that Europe must be poised to act in real time.

“We must be prepared to step outside our comfort zones. We need to explore innovative approaches. Most importantly, we must deter anyone who seeks to threaten our territory and our people. The choice before us is clear: we can either retreat and allow Russian threats to escalate, or we can confront them with unity, deterrence, and resolve. I am confident of the choice we will make,” Ursula von der Leyen stated.

This statement follows reports of drone incursions across several European nations. Recently, Germany’s Munich airport was temporarily closed due to multiple drone sightings, leading to the suspension of flight operations, as reported by Euro News.

Earlier, airports in Poland, Norway, and Denmark also halted operations temporarily due to unidentified drone activities. Airspace violations were similarly reported in Estonia and Romania, which have accused Russia of involvement, an allegation that Russia has denied.