Von der Leyen Decries Russian 'Aggression' After Dual NATO Incidents
European leaders said the incidents show a broader pattern of Russian provocation as NATO and EU states weigh stronger defenses.
- On Tuesday, NATO fighter jets intercepted a drone in Lithuanian airspace, while Denmark reported a Russian warship fired flares at a Danish Air Force helicopter during "routine photographic coverage" in the Baltic Sea.
- Alleged Russian involvement in drone incursions and surveillance has targeted NATO states including Germany, the United Kingdom, and Poland in recent weeks, officials said.
- Lithuania's National Crisis Management Center reported the drone, likely carrying explosives, entered from Belarus and flew for about 30 minutes near populated areas before being intercepted near Kaunas.
- Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated, "Russian actions are meant to intimidate and divide. They will not succeed," as Lithuanian Foreign Affairs Minister Kęstutis Budrys requested urgent EU and NATO discussions.
- Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will unveil new defense measures and the bloc's Security Strategy during her State of the Union address to MEPs in Strasbourg on Wednesday.
68 Articles
68 Articles
Once again, Europe woke up to reckless and dangerous Russian behaviour: a Russian warship fired emergency flares dangerously near a Danish helicopter and a drone entered Lithuania's airspace before being destroyed by NATO fighters," Ursula von der Leyen said in a social media publication.
A Russian warship firing flares at a Danish helicopter and a drone shot down after entering Lithuania's airspace led Ursula von der Leyen to accuse Moscow of intensifying a provocation strategy against Europe
TVA Nouvelles
Von der Leyen castigates Russia, after the "irresponsible" incidents involving a drone and flares.
Radio France Internationale
NewsEU calls Russia 'reckless' after flares fired at Danish helicopter
Amid a mounting security showdown, the Kremlin in turn focused its diplomatic fire on France's initiative to bring European countries under its nuclear umbrella, insisting it was "creating risks". Denmark and Russia blamed each other for the flares fired at a Danish military helicopter monitoring a Russian frigate on Monday. The Danish armed forces said that an air force Fennec helicopter was "fired at with flares during a routine photographic …
The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, indicated today that the incidents caused by Russia in the airspace of the European Union "are not isolated" but are part of a "broader pattern of Russian aggression and provocations against Europe" which "tests European readiness and resolve".
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